The ZDNET team got to test out some LG UltraGear monitors. June Wan/ZDNETLG is one of the top names in high-end OLED monitors, and right now, during its Memorial Day sale, you can save $200 on the 27-inch OLED UltraGear gaming monitor More
Klaudia Radecka/NurPhoto via Getty Images Don’t want to sit through the video meeting that should have been an email? Gemini can help. Google announced a number of new features for Gemini at I/O 2025 last week, and now it’s already adding another. Starting today, Gemini can watch videos in Drive for you, taking notes on […] More
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETDo you own an Asus router? If so, your device may have been one of thousands compromised in a large campaign waged by cybercriminals looking to exploit it. In a blog post published Wednesday, security firm GreyNoise revealed that the attack was staged by what it suggests is “a well-resourced and highly capable adversary.”Also: Massive data breach exposes 184 million passwords for Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and moreTo gain initial access, the attackers used brute-force login techniques and two different methods to bypass the built-in authentication. They’ve also been able to exploit certain vulnerabilities not yet assigned official CVE numbers. Once they’d accessed the router, they were able to run arbitrary system commands by exploiting a known security flaw identified as CVE-2023-39780.Though no malware was actually installed, the attackers certainly left their mark. More than 9,000 Asus routers affectedBy using built-in Asus settings, they were able to set up SSH access, a secure way to connect to and control a remote device. They also installed a backdoor to return easily to the router’s firmware without worrying about authentication. The backdoor was stored in non-volatile memory (NVRAM), which meant it couldn’t be removed by rebooting the router or updating its firmware. To avoid being caught, the criminals even disabled logging, which would otherwise record their access. Also: Why no small business is too small for hackers – and 8 security best practices for SMBsBased on data from internet scanner Censys, more than 9,000 Asus routers are affected, and that number is growing. However, GreyNoise said that over the past three months, it witnessed only 30 related requests to access the affected routers. That seems to be a sign that the campaign is moving along slowly and quietly. If no malware is installed, what’s the goal behind the attack? “This appears to be part of a stealth operation to assemble a distributed network of backdoor devices — potentially laying the groundwork for a future botnet,” GreyNoise said in its post.And who’s behind it?”The tactics used in this campaign — stealthy initial access, use of built-in system features for persistence, and careful avoidance of detection — are consistent with those seen in advanced, long-term operations, including activity associated with advanced persistent threat (APT) actors and operational relay box (ORB) networks. While GreyNoise has made no attribution, the level of tradecraft suggests a well-resourced and highly capable adversary.” Also: Your old router could be a security threat – here’s why and what to doThe language used by GreyNoise, particularly the reference to APTs, suggests a nation-state or attackers working on behalf of a hostile government. Though GreyNoise didn’t cite any particular adversary, such attacks have been attributed to different countries, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.Using its AI-powered payload analysis tool Sift and its observation grid, GreyNoise discovered the attack on March 18. But the firm said it waited until now to disclose it publicly so it could have time to consult with its government and industry partners. More
Christopher Furlong/Getty Once upon a time, Silicon Valley’s move-fast-and-break-things culture welcomed college grads with open arms. Tech companies enthusiastically hired younger and less experienced talent, driven by an enthusiasm for fresh ideas and a financial climate that pointed to sunny days ahead. All of that suddenly and dramatically changed with the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the […] More
panida wijitpanya/Getty Images Linus Torvalds officially announced the stable release of the Linux kernel 6.15 on May 25, 2025. Its arrival was delayed for a few hours, Torvalds said, “because of a last-minute bug report resulting in one new feature being disabled at the eleventh hour,” but Linux 6.15 is here and ready for you […] More
Blink ZDNET’s pick for the best budget-friendly video doorbell is now getting an upgrade, as Amazon has announced the launch of a new generation of the Blink Video Doorbell. The second-generation Blink Video Doorbell is being released four years after the first; it comes alongside the new Blink Sync Module Core and, unfortunately, sports a price […] More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is on sale now for $1,199. It’s a versatile laptop that can handle a variety of use cases, its mini-LED display is bright and vivid, it comes with a stylus, and it’s very competitively priced on sale. It’s on the bulky side and can run warm. […] More
My perfect day ends with me being in bed by 9:30 and falling asleep right around 10 p.m. That’s easier said than done, but I try to get as close to a consistent bedtime routine as I can. After a good night’s rest, I am a better, nicer, smarter, quicker, healthier person. For those having trouble catching proper Zs, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite products I use ahead of bedtime while walking you through my nighttime routine. Feel free to copy any or all of these habits for better sleep — they’ve worked wonders on mine. Also: The best smart rings of 2025: I tested and found an obvious winnerOf course, buying these products isn’t going to save your poor sleep (or poor activity patterns, lifestyle choices, stressors, and all the other variables that contribute to healthy rest), but some of them might produce a pattern or a habit that you can implement for greater consistency, and thus, greater sleep. 5 products I use for my perfect bedtime routineI try to wrap up my day’s to-dos by around 7:30 or 8 pm. I’ve eaten dinner, washed my dishes, taken a shower, and am retiring to my room. Before I even begin my wind down (and the subsequent cup of tea I will eventually talk about), I am tidying up my bedroom. Doing so ahead of bedtime is a great way to clear your mind and your space of distractions. I’ll put my dirty clothes that have inevitably ended up on my bed in the hamper or my dresser. I’ll take the coffee mug into the kitchen and wash it. Studies have shown that cleaning your room can reduce stress and improve air quality. “Mess is stress,” Jourdan Travers, Awake Therapy’s psychotherapist and clinical director, tells Discover Magazine. I want to feel as at ease as I possibly can when I go to sleep, and a tidy room I’ve cleaned myself gives me that control. More
