I recently got a new mattress, theMidnight Helix Luxe, which I've been testing at home for a few months now (full article review coming soon). This purchase meant my boyfriend and I had to switch out our old Casper Select mattress. While we were relieved to finally find a bed that worked for both of us, we still had to figure out what to do with our old mattress, as we had no space to store it. The hardest part about getting a new bed is getting rid of your old one. Here's everything I did to remove my old mattress and how I met some cool people along the way.My old mattress had to go Caroline Igo/CNETMy boyfriend and I live in a smaller house, so it was hard to ignore the extra queen-sized mattress leaning against our bedroom wall. The easiest and most convenient option would have been to leave it out on the street and schedule a bulk pick-up with our city. In our area, this service is free. However, I didn't want my old mattress to end up in a landfill.My old Casper was, first and foremost, not that old -- we had it for less than three years and it was in great shape. Although we have two dogs, we always kept a mattress protector on the bed and tried to keep it as clean as possible. There were no tears or rips in the cover. While all-foam mattresses like ours deteriorate faster than hybrid beds, ours had plenty of years left in it. The bed could still go to someone who needs it.I started the removal process with friends and family. My boyfriend and I sent texts to our loved ones in the nearby area to see if anyone was looking for a new mattress. I also looked into Facebook Marketplace and local groups that bought and sold items. Unfortunately, we were out of luck and stuck with the Casper for a little while longer.After exhausting easier options, I looked for places we could take it. Simple Google searches told me that the Goodwill in my area doesn't accept used mattresses, and the thought of fitting the bed in my car to drop it off somewhere was another beast. Further research brought me to a local organization that accepts furniture and mattress donations -- and, better yet, will pick it up from your home.Local non-profits for gently used mattresses Beds for KidsBeds for Kids is a non-profit organization located in Charlotte, North Carolina. I was familiar with it before starting my research because it partners with many local businesses. The organization's philanthropy is simple: It aims to provide beds and essential furniture to families in need.This non-profit accepts various furniture donations of box springs, cribs, dressers, small tables, new bed linens, new pillows, new mattress protectors, new blankets and quilts and, of course, mattresses. Zach Smith, the non-profit's director of operations, told CNET, "In 2023, we received 3,900 donated mattresses." That's almost 4,000 beds out of the landfill and in families' homes that need them.In addition to donations from locals, Beds for Kids also receives donated mattresses from larger corporations and universities. For example, the University of North Carolina Charlotte donates its used dorm beds. "[Universities] change them out every five years or so. We love these mattresses because they are a durable fabric that is waterproof and bed bug-resistant," said Smith.Beds for Kids also partners with Ashley Homestore through its licensee, Broad River Retail. Smith said, "Broad River has been a partner of ours since our beginning. They donate new mattresses, but they also encourage folks who are purchasing new beds and furniture to donate their old items to us if the condition meets our standards. This partnership is instrumental in how we serve and allows us to continue to receive the inventory we need to serve families in our community."How your bed goes to a family in need Beds for KidsMy donation process to Bed for Kids was seamless. After submitting an inquiry on the website, I was contacted by inventory manager, Will Lineberry. I then sent a few pictures of the mattress to ensure that it was in good condition. We scheduled a pick-up time, and then two team members carried the bed out of my house and into their truck. Pick-up required a $30 tax-deductible fee, but drop-off donations are free. Since these donated mattresses go directly to someone who needs them, a bed needs to meet a few requirements. Smith said, "We require [used mattresses] to be less than eight years old with no rips, tears or stains. The brand does not matter." Keep in mind that these requirements are specific to this local organization. An organization that accepts mattresses near you might have stricter or looser guidelines. Once out of your hands, the bed then goes through an inspection and a cleaning process. "After we receive the donated mattresses, we send them to be sanitized at a place called Carolina Dry Heat to ensure that they are clean and free of bed bugs." With any used mattresses, bed bugs are always the main concern.In 2023, Beds for Kids made a record of 1,002 deliveries to families in the area. With the help of 2,783 volunteers, they served 3,948 people in need. "We feel passionately that we are creating a space where furniture companies, colleges and individuals can sustainably donate their mattresses," concluded Smith.Other options for getting rid of your old bed Monty Rakusen/Getty ImagesIf you can't find a local charity to donate to or can't transport your donation to somewhere that accepts old mattresses, here are a few options that might be in your area:Bulk pick-up: If this service is offered, you can leave a mattress out on your street and schedule a time for your city to come pick it up.Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity: Some Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity locations accept mattress donations. Check your local websites. ReSupply: This Veteran-founded and owned organization picks up furniture in any condition.Friends or family members: Reach out to friends and family to see if they need a mattress.Mattress brands: Some mattress brands will pick up your old mattress when you buy a new one.Local buy and sell groups: Try selling or giving away your gently used mattress on Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle Network, Nextdoor or Craigslist.Recycling services: A Bedder World is a nationwide mattress recycling and disposal service that picks up your bed from your home.Local shelters: Some homeless shelters may take mattress donations.Upcycling and DIY crafts: Stuff your pet's bed with extra foam, use the coils as a wine rack or create a wooden box out of foundation slants.Bottom line, try to keep your mattress out of the landfill. I know that this isn't possible for every mattress: Some are too old or torn up to be given to someone new. But, according to the Mattress Recycling Council, more than 75% of a mattress is recyclable. This includes materials such as foam, steel coils, some fibers and sometimes wood. Chances are there are places in your area that either recycle old beds or accept donations.I'm fortunate to have found an organization that not only made the donation process easy but left me feeling good about where my old bed was going.

You can see thespecific steps that a government agencyis taking to comply with the Trump administrations policies against diversity, equity, and inclusion on the agencys GitHub, whichshows it frantically deleting and editing various documents, employee handbooks, Slack bots, and job listings across everything the agency touches.18Fis a much-hyped government agencywithin the General Services Administration that was founded under the Obama Administration after the disastrous rollout of Healthcare.gov. It more or less had the specific goal of attracting Silicon Valley talent to the federal government to help the government innovate and make many of its websites and digital services suck less. It is one of the cooler federal agencies, and has open sourced many of its projects on GitHub.GitHub is a website for open source development that shows changes across different commits, or changes to code and documentation. In the first days of the Trump administration, 18Fs commit list is full of change logs detailing the administrations attempts to destroy the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion.The changes show that in the last 48 hours, 18F has edited text and wholesale deleted both internal and external web pages about, for example Inclusive behaviors, healthy conflict and constructive feedback, DEIA resources, and Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. It deleted a webpage about psychological safety (which now 404s) deleted all information about the DE&I leads at the agency, as well as language for employees that said Anyone who has issues or concerns related to inclusion or equity in the 18F engineering chapter should feel empowered to reach out to the DE&I Leads. It has deleted, in various places, the word inclusion, as well as the term affinity groups.It also deleted an internal Slack Bot called Inclusion Bot, which is described as being integrated into Slack and passively listens for words or phrases that have racist, sexist, ableist, or otherwise exclusionary or discriminatory histories or backgrounds. When it hears those words, it privately lets the writer know and offers some suggested alternatives.Do you work for the federal government? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at +1 202 505 1702. Otherwise, send me an email at jason@404media.co.It has also notably deleted information intended for improving accessibility for blind and visually impaired employees, which asked employees to use visual descriptions when introducing themselves on Zoom meetings.In a hiring document, the language Teams should consider factors of equity and complexity of the research when determining compensation for participants on their project has been changed to team should consider other factors or complexity of the research.The Trump administrationhas not tried to hide that it is trying to delete web pages and employee information across the government. But seeing the change logs pop up as theyre happening on GitHub shows exactly how these changes are being done and how theyre rolling out.

SwansongThe creator of Final Fantasy is looking to squeeze out one more game as part of his "farewell note", and he's hoping it'll be a successor to a fan favourite entry in the series"Humans are greedy creatures, arent we?" News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Jan. 26, 2025 Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi has at least one more game left in him, and it might just take some cues from a much-beloved entry in the series.There are few developers out there who have as lengthy a list of iconic titles under their belt like Sakaguchi, but I suppose that's likely to happen when you're the creator of Final Fantasy. For a long while now he's been doing things over at his own studio, Mistwalker, most recently having worked on Fantasian (which just got a re-release on consoles just last month), and as it turns out, the developer is still planning on making at least one more game. Sakaguchi recently spoke with The Verge about Fantasian, as well as what it's been like working with Square Enix again, but most interesting of all are his comments on the next game he wants to work on.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. "I was thinking of making Fantasian Neo Dimension my final work, but the fantastic team that was assembled to complete this project was so enjoyable to work with that I found it hard to part ways," Sakaguchi explained when asked if he'll stick to familiar styles and genres or do something new. "Humans are greedy creatures, arent we? For that reason, Im currently working on a new project with the same team that worked on Fantasian Neo Dimension. Its generally going to follow a similar style to my previous works, and itll be something that can be a successor to Final Fantasy 6 in a good way - our goal is to create something old but new at the same time. Itll be part two of my farewell note."As bittersweet as that point about it being part two of his farewell note, it is exciting to hear he's working on something inspired by Final Fantasy 6. While it could be argued that every entry in the mainline Final Fantasy games is a fan favourite, 6 is definitely high up on that list, almost definitely in part because it was the last game before the switch to 3D, but also because of its big, dramatic, and emotional story. I'm sure we can expect to wait a while for it, though, so maybe just spend that time on a replay of 6, or even give the quite good Fantasian Neo Dimension a go.

Solo SamuraiNo, Assassins Creed Shadows' Yasuke isn't an assassin, and yes, that does mean he won't play the same way the series' protagonists traditionally have"Yasuke is not an assassin, because the narrative makes sense that he is not."Image credit: Ubisoft News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Jan. 26, 2025 Yasuke, co-protagonist of the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows, is not one of the titular assassins, which means that he'll play a bit different than you're used to.For the most part across the Assassin's Creed series you do, in fact, play as an assassin, but there are occasions where you don't even if they're few and far between. You do still get to be on in the upcoming Japan-set Shadows, as the game's other protagonist Naoe is one, but in a recent interview with GamesRadar, game director Simon Lemay-Comtois made it clear that Yasuke isn't one, and took the time to explain why, and what difference that makes. "Yasuke is not an assassin, because the narrative makes sense that he is not," Lemay-Comtois said.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. While Lemay-Comtois didn't go into story specifics, the developer did make it clear that Yasuke "works with [fellow protagonist] Naoe, but he's not an assassin, and he doesn't have to be." We already know Yasuke won't play the same as Naoe, meaning combat will be different depending on who you are, but it obviously means he won't have the same stealth tools as her. This difference in design meant that Ubisoft had to "always embrace" the fact that they are so different.In turn, that meant they couldn't just give Yasuke something like the iconic Eagle Vision just because - "No," Lemay-Comtois explains, "he needs to not have it so you play different with him than you play with Naoe." As mentioned, there are some major characters other games, like Haytham Kenway in 3, Black Flag and Rogue, who isn't an assassin, or like Barnabas in Odyssey, but unlike him Yasuke is "much more involved in the story" of Shadows, with Lemay-Comtois noting "he doesn't have to be an assassin, he has his own motivation and core beliefs that align with Naoe's, and off they go."Shadows received yet another delay earlier this month, with its new release date a month later, now March 20 this year, but our own Dom did say in a recent hands-on preview that the dual-protagonists might be offering a much needed refresh for the series, so perhaps the wait will be worth it.

Jack and beans.Welcome to Catch-up Crew, where USS Nintendo Life officers slingshot around the sun and go back to play something a crewmember missed back in the day.We went back to the first WarioWare game last time, but today our destination is the year 1999 when Pokmon Snap first appeared on a chunky N64 cartridge. For anyone looking to play or replay this mon-based snap 'em up, it's part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack library.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

More startups shut down in 2024 than the year prior, according to multiple sources, and thats not really a surprise considering the insane number of companies that were funded in the crazy days of 2020 and 2021.It appears were not nearly done, and 2025 could be another brutal year of startups shutting down.TechCrunch gathered data from several sources and found similar trends. In 2024, 966 startups shut down, compared to 769 in 2023, according to Carta. Thats a 25.6% increase. One note on methodology: Those numbers are for U.S.-based companies that were Carta customers and left Carta due to bankruptcy or dissolution. There are likely other shutdowns that wouldnt be accounted for through Carta, estimates Peter Walker, Cartas head of insights.Yes, shutdowns increased from 2023 to 2024 in every stage. But there were more companies funded (with bigger rounds) in 2020 and 2021. So we would expect shutdowns to increase just by nature of VC naturally, he said.At the same time, Walker admitted that its difficult to estimate exactly how many more shutdowns there were, or will be.I bet were missing a good chunk, he told TechCrunch. There are a number of companies who leave Carta without telling us why they left.Meanwhile, AngelList found that 2024 saw 364 startup winddowns, compared to 233 in 2023. Thats a 56.2% jump. However, AngelList CEO Avlok Kohli has a fairly optimistic take, noting that winddowns are still very low relative to the number of companies that were funded across both years.Layoffs.fyi found a contradicting trend: 85 tech companies shut down in 2024, compared to 109 in 2023 and 58 in 2022. But as founder Roger Lee acknowledges, that data only includes publicly reported shutdowns and therefore represents an underestimate. Of those 2024 tech shutdowns, 81% were startups, while the rest were either public companies or previously acquired companies that were later shut down by their parent organizations.VCs didnt pick winnersSo many companies got funded in 2020 and 2021 at heated valuations with famously thin diligence, that its only logical that up to three years later, an increasing number couldnt raise more cash to fund their operations. Taking investment at too high of a valuation increases the risk such that investors wont want to invest more unless business is growing extremely well.The working hypothesis is that VCs as an asset class did not get better at picking winners in 2021. In fact, the hit rate may end up being worse that year since everything was so frenzied, Walker said. And if the hit rate on good companies remains flat and we fund a lot more companies, then you should expect many more shutdowns after a few years. And thats where we are in 2024.Dori Yona, CEO and co-founder of SimpleClosure, a startup that aims to automate the shutdown process, believes that in 2021, we saw a large number of startups receiving seed funding probably before they were ready.Merely getting that money may have set them up for failure, Yona explained.The rapid capital infusion sometimes encouraged high burn rates and growth-at-all-costs mentalities, leading to sustainability challenges as markets shifted post-pandemic, he noted. As such, in recent years, many high-profile companies ceased operations despite significant funding and early promise.The primary impetus behind the shutdowns is an obvious one.Running out of cash is typically the proximate cause, Walker surmises. But the underlying reasons are likely some combination of lack of product-market fit, lack of ability to get to cash-flow positive, and overvaluation leading to an inability to continue fundraising.Looking ahead, Walker also expects well continue to see more shutdowns in the first half of 2025, and then a gradual decline for the rest of the year.That projection is based mostly on a time-lag estimate from the peak of funding, which he estimates was the first quarter of 2022 in most stages. So by the first quarter of 2025, most companies will have either found a new path forward or had to make this difficult choice.AngelLists Kohli agrees. Theyre not all washed out, he said of the startups funded at unreasonably high valuations during those heady days. Not even close.Already this year, weve seen Pandion, a Washington-based delivery startup, announce it was shutting down. The company was founded during the pandemic and had raised about $125 million in equity over the last five years. And in December, proptech EasyKnock abruptly shut down. EasyKnock, a startup that billed itself as the first tech-enabled residential sale-leaseback provider, was founded in 2016 and had raised $455 million in funding from backers.Startups dying across industries, stagesThe types of companies impacted last year were across a range of industries, and stages.Cartas data points to enterprise SaaS companies taking the biggest hit making up 32% of shutdowns. Consumer followed at 11%; health tech at 9%; fintech at 8%, and biotech at 7%.Those percentages align pretty well with the initial funding to those sectors, Walker said. And essentially what this says is that every startup sector has seen shutdowns and none vastly outperformed, which gives support to the theory that the main cause of the increase is macro-economic, i.e. interest rate changes and the lack of available venture funding in 2023 and 2024.Layoffs.fyis much smaller subset found that finance accounted for 15% of the shutdowns with food (12%) and healthcare (11%) coming in second and third.When it comes to stage, SimpleClosures data found that 74% of all shutdowns since 2023 are either pre-seed or seed, with the plurality (41%) at the seed stage.Most startups tend to shut down when the coffers are completely dry, though some see the writing on the wall early enough to give a bit back to their investors.The majority of startups (60%) that fail dont have enough capital left to return to investors, Yona said. Founders that do plan on returning funds have an average $630,000 of investments left about 10% of total capital raised, on average.Yona also predicts the rate of startup closures will notslow down anytime soon.Tech zombies and a startup graveyard will continue to make headlines, Yona said. Despite the crop of new investments, there are a lot of companies that have raised at high valuations and without enough revenue.

Chicopee, Massachusetts, was first settled in the early 17th century and incorporated as a town in 1848. Originally part of Springfield, Chicopee grew rapidly in the 19th century, fueled by industrialization and following immigrants arriving to the city to work in factories there. Many of these ethnic groups established cultural centers and built churches, creating the diverse and architecturally unique city we see today. Sadly, like many other 19th century industrial cities, many of the factories closed or relocated in the mid-late 20th century. While the loss of industry harmed the local economy, Chicopee is poised for growth and rebirth as the second largest city in Western Massachusetts, and anchored by its great architecture. The Chicopee City Hall, built in 1871, is one of the regions finest buildings and one of a handful built in the Romanesque Revival style. The present building was constructed on land the City purchased in 1869 from the Ames Manufacturing Company, a major employer in town with mill buildings nearby along the river. Architect, Charles E. Parker ofBoston, was hired to design the new building which is said to have been loosely modelled after thePalazzo Vecchio, the historic town hall ofFlorence, Italy. The City of Chicopee have been great stewards to their historic City Hall, undergoing numerous restoration projects in the past decades.

Published January 26, 2025 10:00am EST close Secret Service cracks down on Florida credit card scams Fox News Danamarie McNicholl reports alongside the Secret Service as it detects and prevents the use of credit card skimmers, traced to a crime ring led in Eastern Europe. Credit card fraud has been on the rise in recent years.The Federal Trade Commissions most recent database indicates that 416,582 cases of credit card fraud were reported in 2024, making it one of the most common forms of identity theft. You know you've been a victim of this fraud when you notice unauthorized transactions on your credit card bill.These transactions are usually below $100 to avoid detection. However, sometimes they can exceed $1,000. One such incident happened with Martin from Martinsville, Virginia, when he was randomly charged $1,095 in Hong Kong."Hello, I recently received a fraud alert from my credit card company that said that there was a $1,095 charge on my credit card in Hong Kong. I use my iPad and Safari browser to buy online. Can you please explain how this could happen? By the way, my credit card company canceled my credit card and will send me a new Mastercard in the mail, and Im not responsible for the charges on my credit card. What can I do in the future to prevent this from happening again?"I'm sorry to hear about the fraudulent charge on your credit card, Martin. Its good that your credit card company is handling it and that youre not responsible for the charges. For future reference, I'll be discussing how this could have happened and how to stay safe. A woman using her credit card to shop online (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How credit card fraud happensCredit card fraud can happen in several ways, often without you even realizing it. One common method is when fraudsters get hold of your card information throughdata breaches at online stores or banks, which means your details get leaked without your knowledge.Another sneaky tactic isphishing, where scammers trick you into giving away your card info by posing as legitimate companies via emails or fake websites.Theres also the risk of "card skimming," where devices at ATMs or gas stations secretly capture your card details when you swipe it. In some cases, fraudsters might also exploit weak security onpublic Wi-Fi networks or compromised apps to access your information while youre shopping online. A man using his credit card to shop on his phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Credit card fraud is way too commonA report from Security.org reveals that52 million Americans experienced credit card fraud in 2023, a figure even higher than theone reported by the FTC. With four out of five American adults owning at least one credit card, the report found that three in five cardholders have faced unauthorized charges an estimated 128 million victims. Even more concerning, 75% of these victims reported having their credit card information stolen more than once.The typical unauthorized transaction is around $100, which adds up to approximately $5 billion in criminal purchases each year. Interestingly, most unauthorized transactions involve credit cards that werent physically lost or stolen, highlighting the growing risks of online fraud and data breaches. A woman using her credit card to pay (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The need for identity theft protectionData breaches are one of the main ways credit card fraud happens. Hackers often get unauthorized access to sensitive information stored by businesses or institutions. When a retailer, financial institution or online store experiences a data breach, the hackers usually go after the payment systems where customer credit card details are kept.If these systems arent properly secured, hackers can grab things like credit card numbers, expiration dates and sometimes even security codes. Once they have that info, they can either use it themselves or sell it to others.But its not just credit card information at risk.Data breaches can also expose personal details like names, email addresses and phone numbers. Scammers can then use this stolen info to launch phishing attacks, pretending to be trusted companies and tricking you into giving away more sensitive information.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?This is why identity theft monitoring is so important. Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.One of the best parts of some identity theft protection services is that they have identity theft insurance ofup to $1 million to cover losses and legal feesSee my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft. Illustration of a credit card crook (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)10 ways to protect yourself from credit card fraud1. Notify your credit card issuer immediately: If you notice fraudulent charges on your credit card, start by calling the number on the back of your credit card. From there, you should get more detailed information on what to do next.2. Monitor your statements regularly: One of the best ways to catch credit card fraud early is to keep an eye on your statements. Review your transactions regularly to spot any unfamiliar charges. The sooner you notice something suspicious, the quicker you can report it to your credit card company and prevent further damage.3. Regularly check your credit report: In addition to monitoring your credit card statements, periodically review your credit report to catch any unauthorized accounts opened in your name.4. Use strong, unique passwords: Always use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts, especially those that store payment details. Avoid using easily guessable information, and consider using apassword manager to store and generate secure passwords. This reduces the chances of fraudsters accessing your accounts.5. Use credit card alerts:Set up transaction alerts with your credit card company. This way, youll receive a notification via email or text for every transaction made with your card. If you receive an alert for a purchase you didnt make, you can take immediate action to report it and prevent further charges.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE6. Be Cautious with public Wi-Fi:Avoid making purchases or entering sensitive information when connected topublic Wi-Fi networks because theyre often not secure. If you need to make an online purchase while on the go, consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your connection and keep your credit card details safe from hackers.For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices7. Don't store credit card info on browsers and websites:Storing your credit card information on browsers or websites can make it convenient, but it also exposes you to a higher risk of fraud. If your browser or the websites security gets compromised, hackers could gain access to your saved card details. To stay safe, avoid saving your credit card information and manually enter it each time you make a purchase. If a site offers to save your details for future use, think twice before accepting. It's better to take the extra step to enter your information each time, ensuring your data stays secure.8. Use EMV chip technology: When making in-person purchases, always use the chip reader instead of swiping your card. Chip technology provides an extra layer of security against fraud.9. Be wary of phishing attempts and have strong antivirus software: Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts or phone calls asking for your credit card information. Legitimate companies typically don't request sensitive information through these channels. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.10. Keep your card in sight:When using your card in restaurants or stores, try to keep it within view. This reduces the risk of someone copying your card details.Kurts key takeawayIt's clear that credit card fraud is more prevalent than ever, affecting millions of Americans each year. The good news is that there are effective steps to protect yourself from becoming a victim. By staying vigilant and employing best practices like monitoring your statements and using strong passwords you can significantly reduce your risk. Remember, awareness and proactive measures are your best defenses against credit card fraud.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHave you or someone you know ever experienced credit card fraud, and how did it impact you?Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Samsung's new flagship phone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, has arrived. Here's how it stacks up with the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Scream VINetflixNetflix has just landed another new-era horror classic, as they really do tend to grab a lot of these through licensing, which has proven to make for a pretty impressive collection over the years.That new film would be Scream VI, obviously the sixth film in that franchise, which was released in early 2023. While critics said it was good, not amazing, it is what appeared to be the best audience-scored horror film of that year. As a comparison point, here are the top 10 critic scored horror movies of 2023, plus their audience scores, as opposed to Scream VI:Huesera: The Bone Woman 97% critic, 66% audienceWhen Evil Lurks 96% critic, 79% audienceAttachment 95% critic, 60% audienceTalk to Me 94% critic, 83% audienceM3GAN 93% critic, 78% audienceInfluencer 91% critic, 69% audienceBrooklyn 45 91% critic, 41% audienceTotally Killer 86% critic, 76% audienceThe Blackening 87% critic, 85% audienceSick 85% critic, 72% audienceScream VI 77% critic 90% audienceScream VINetflixIve looked through dozens of horror films from that year and I cant find one with a higher audience score. It really is pretty tough to please a critical mass of audiences with a number of controversial horror films, but Scream VI managed to do so. How? A few reasons:First, its good! Those are still solid critic scores, and its a great entry in the Scream franchise which has been pretty hit or miss over the years. So its not like audiences are propping up some sort of bad movie here.It stars Jenna Ortega in the midst of her massive breakout period, becoming a fan favorite with Wednesday and also this film as one of her highest profile outings as a new go-to horror girl.It stars Melissa Barrera, an excellent actress who was kicked out of Scream VII for her pro-Gaza social media statements. Fans and other actors raced to support her.It brought back series veterans like Courteney Cox, Skeet Ulrich and Hayden Panettiere to satisfy longer term fans of the franchise.That may not be the whole story, but this plus other X-factors did add up to Scream VI being the highest profile, audience favorite horror film of 2023. Scream VII will bring Neve Campbell back to the franchise, but the film has lost Ortega and Barrera, and I cannot imagine it will be as well-received by fans as a result. Judge for yourself by watching on Netflix.MORE FOR YOUFollow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram.Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.