Technology
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 21, 2025
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 21 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Fixing issues
Green: Gather crops
Blue: Features in editing program
Purple: Items used with a dominant hand
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Way of Solving a Problem
Green: Collect, As from an Orchard
Blue: Photoshop Tools
Purple: Objects That May be Right-or-Left-Handed
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #621 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayWay of Solving a Problem: ANSWER, FIX, REMEDY, SOLUTION
Collect, As from an Orchard: GATHER, HARVEST, PICK, REAP
Photoshop Tools: ERASER, EYEDROPPER, LASSO, MAGIC WAND
Objects That May be Right-or-Left-Handed: BASEBALL GLOVE, CAN OPENER, GOLF CLUB, GUITAR
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 21Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 21
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Given to the winner
Green: LA ______
Blue: Cast a line
Purple: Same second word
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Award
Green: A Los Angeles athlete
Blue: Fishing baits and lures
Purple: ________ crew
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #151 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayAward - MEDAL, CUP, PLAQUE, TROPHY
A Los Angeles athlete - CLIPPER, KING, RAM, SPARK
Fishing baits and lures - PLUG, SPINNER, SPOON, WORM
________ crew - BREW, COLUMBUS, GROUNDS, OFFICIATING
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.
NYT Strands hints, answers for February 21
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 21 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: "To infinity and beyond"These words are animated characters.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe words are characters who star alongside the astronaut famous for this saying.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Toy Story.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 21Slinky
Woody
Wheezy
Alien
Bullseye
Buzz
Twitch
Toy Story
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.
NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for February 21, 2025
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, February 21, 2025:
AcrossElevator alternativeThe answer is Steps.
The answer is Lumon.
The answer is Atoll.
The answer is Mojo.
The answer is Sri.
The answer is Slam.
The answer is Tutor.
The answer is Emoji.
The answer is Polo.
The answer is SNL.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.
Slurpees are free today — here’s how to get yours on Feb. 21
FREE SLURPEE: On Feb. 21, get a free small Slurpee at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores. Check participating locations here.
Opens in a new window Credit: 7-Eleven 7-Eleven: Free Slurpee on Feb. 21 Learn MoreWe're not going to tell you how to spend your day. We're sure you've got big plans, and there's absolutely no way that you could adjust your schedule for a freebie. There's no way, right?
All we'll say is that, every Friday in February, customers can visit participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores to get their hands on a small Slurpee for free. There's no pressure from us to do anything with this information, but we should add that you should check participating locations before you cancel all your plans and set off in search of this beloved beverage.
SEE ALSO: Domino’s is releasing a pepperoni perfume for Valentine’s Day. Here's how to get yours for free.Each customer can get only one free small Slurpee each, and this free giveaway is only valid supplies last. But those are the only catches. This is one of those rare moments when customers can genuinely get something for nothing.
Stop what you're doing and grab your free Slurpee on Feb. 21.
Score the Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle for less at Amazon
SAVE $60: As of Feb. 21, this Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle is on sale for $479.97 at Amazon. That's a saving of 11% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $479.97 at Amazon$539.97 Save $60.00 Get Deal
The Kindle Scribe is the latest product to take book lovers by storm. Released in 2024, this new Kindle model combines reading and note-taking in one handy device. And if you're one of many who have been eyeing this product, Amazon has a great deal on an essentials bundle that you won't want to miss.
As of Feb. 21, you can save $60 on this Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle, now just $479.97.
SEE ALSO: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is live. How to get free books during this enchanting event.This deal comes with the Premium Pen so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. Unlike the basic pen, this model comes with an eraser at the top so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen. It is also battery-free and works through a special power source embedded in the Kindle Scribe, so there is no need to charge it.
It also comes with a 9W power adapter and a plant-based leather folio to store it away. According to Amazon, the plant-based leather is made from 76% renewable bio-materials (non-GMO corn, and viscose fiber from Forest Stewardship Council-certified sources) and 24% polyurethane.
This deal is specific to the 64GB model, but you can choose between tungsten and metallic jade.
Besides its note-taking abilities, the Kindle Scribe has a 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare and ink-free. Like the original Kindle model, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or in harsh lighting. And if you're someone who reads on the go a lot, the Scribe has the best battery life of any model, promising to last months on a single charge.
Today's NYT Connections Hints and Answer for February 21 (#621)
Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.
LinkedIn and dating apps are failing users in the same ways
In October, 24-year-old Cait Camelia posted screenshots of her Hinge dating app bio on X. She chose cute, casual, and sexy photos of herself, par the course of a standout bio, but the prompts read, "The way to win me over is to get me a creative marketing job" and, "I want someone who can get me a creative marketing job." She included one corporate stock photo, a close-up of a handshake between two men in suits captioned, "This could be us."
She's not looking for a partner — she's looking for a job.
SEE ALSO: Can AI save dating apps?The job market is dismal for many, with job growth as of January 2025 falling short of analysts' expectations. Despite unemployment being slightly down from the latter half of last year (four percent as of January 2025, down from 4.2 percent in September 2024), it's become the norm for people to apply for hundreds of jobs for months on end. And, it isn't unheard of for people to land a job or make life-changing money from going viral, which is what Camelia sought.
"A lot of people thought that I expected to land a serious job from Hinge, but my intention was always to post it on social media," Camelia, a graphic designer who wants to work in a different field, said. "I figured that it would do well, and at the very least, get some visibility for my work."
Fresh out of a relationship that started on Hinge, she's not ready to return to the app for dating, so she turned to it for more eyes on her skill set. (Hinge didn't respond to Mashable's request for comment.)
Camelia knew it would garner a substantial amount of negative attention from men, which would, in turn, push it further on the algorithm. (She experienced this when she shared her graduation photos in a dress and heels, and it went viral in 2021. An incel comedian had a lot to say about what she was wearing when she graduated early with two majors.)
Although she muted the X thread as soon as it gained traction, she read some of the comments. "I saw some people be like, 'Oh, you're wasting people's time being on this app,'" she said. "I think a lot of men waste a lot of women's time being on the app without intention. So, I don't feel guilty."
One might think Camelia should try LinkedIn, a site meant for professional networking. Although Camelia found success searching for a job there in the past, particularly by finding the hiring manager or founder's profile on the platform and reaching out directly, she said she doesn't think the platform has innovated much since she graduated in 2021. "It's not a great thing, especially because the job field feels very competitive right now, and it's really hard to find jobs where it doesn't seem like they just throw your resumé into a stack of hundreds."
At their core, both LinkedIn and dating apps aim to connect people, but they seem to have fallen behind as how we do that evolves.
A recent survey from MyPerfectResume found that 81 percent of recruiters admit to posting a fake or already-filled job online. Employers do this to maintain a presence and to keep tabs on available talent.
Knowing this is the norm can be discouraging. "Even during the application process, I'm telling myself, 'This is pointless. You're wasting your time, and can better use your time to try to find work you actually want,'" Dylan*, a 29-year-old in Brooklyn who works in hospitality, said.
Unfortunately, it's become commonplace to put yourself out there and receive no response. Fortune even reported that LinkedIn's "Open To Work" tag could hurt job seekers more than it helps because they look "overeager."
Some dating apps, like Hinge, Bumble, or Feeld, allow users to see who liked them before matching. There could be hundreds to sift through, and others have an infinite swipe. "My basic feeling is that the vast increase in the number of options we have in all parts of our lives — not just dating and job seeking — has actually changed the way we approach making choices," JD Giovanni, a 33-year-old who was laid off from his magazine job earlier last year, said.
This can look like always looking for the next best thing or presenting what psychologist Barry Schwartz refers to as decision paralysis, where people make decisions based on what's easiest to evaluate rather than most important to them.
First impressions undoubtedly carry a lot of weight, but crafting custom cover letters and first messages on a dating app can feel like a colossal waste of time. "If I post a role for something generic, like an account executive job, it could end up with 300 applications in a day," Braxton Brown III, a senior recruiter at Prove, said. It's just not possible to efficiently read all of them and respond at that rate.
When job candidates do finally land an interview, and when daters connect with someone, both groups share a very common experience: ghosting. A small study from 2021 stated that 85 percent of dating app users have been ghosted.
"In the age of LinkedIn, you can trace the companies you apply to and the people you speak with," Max Coyne, a 36-year-old in New York who's been on the job hunt since July, said. After being ghosted, he checked the company's job listing. "I found that the role I was interviewing for was moved from remote in Brooklyn to remote in Ohio for $30k less salary after they reposted the job the same week they dropped off." In another interview process, he saw the would-be supervisor got an internal promotion and presumably moved into it without reaching out.
Seemingly, employers and daters do not know what they want. "Often, hiring managers have a really hard job defining what they actually need in the role," Brown said. "I think a lot of people on the dating side also have a really hard time defining what they want in a person or what they want in a relationship." He said both groups seem to conflate "nice to haves" with critical needs.
"People get the 'ick' for something that should not at all be a deal breaker, and they might be missing out on someone that meets 98 percent of their other qualifications. That is such a parallel that I see in my job every day," he said. "If a hiring manager sees that this person didn't go to this school or that school, they might be totally uninterested."
The viral call for men who are 6'5" with blue eyes, work in finance, and have a trust fund illustrates some people's superficial wants in dating, but Brown said employers tend to get caught up in details of a resumé that mean nothing to the role. They typically end up with an employee who can't fulfill the responsibilities of the job.
Failing to matchDating apps as a subscription service is a flawed business model. Users want to be on them temporarily until they find someone (or multiple partners). On its face, making users pay for "better" matches is the quick route to lose them, especially among younger demographics widely reporting dating app fatigue. But given that major dating apps are part of a public conglomerate, their incentive is to increase shareholder value.
LinkedIn's Premium claims to offer four times more profile views and 14 times more connections — it's quantity over quality. While those leveraging the platform for thought leadership and content creation may benefit from it, those looking for jobs are left to bleed $29.99 a month (or more) to blindly trust an algorithm to expose their profiles to more matches, especially given how long unemployment lasts for so many people.
A LinkedIn spokesperson didn't address this in a statement to Mashable but said romantic advances and harassment of any form violate its rules.
SEE ALSO: The Relationship Experience dating trend: like a situationship but so much worsePlus, artificial intelligence has picked up greatly in both spaces. On the dating front, people can use AI to create a bio, message someone first, and flirt back. Realistically, it could just be two AIs talking to each other at this point.
And, you can barely escape it off the apps. Apple introduced Apple Intelligence to read emails and even summarize texts, both commonly used in dating. (Picture this: you'll be able to read incoming break-up texts more efficiently or those rejection letters that pop up in your Gmail seven months later.)
In the job market, employers are using AI to screen resumés and make hiring decisions. As you'd expect, job seekers are writing resumés and cover letters with ChatGPT. The rise of AI in both the job market and dating may dull the skill sets required for both, from establishing wants and needs and communicating to negotiating and discernment.
It's clear the platforms are favoring shiny, new-ish innovation versus listening to their users and catering to their needs, but that would require looking at the larger sociological shifts rendering both the old ways irrelevant and their new plans inadequate.
In this harsh job market, Camelia is leveraging every platform she can. That is why she took to X with her mock dating app bio job application. She ended up hearing from a couple of women who attempted the same. One is a graphic designer who filled her bio with her artwork and landed freelance work, as did Camelia. Although she has yet to get a full-time job, she's been commissioned for freelance work and leads from a bunch of startup CEOs and independent content creators. She's also in the interview process with a major record label weeks later, all according to the plan.
* Name changed to preserve privacy.
Government plane swoops over fuming volcano, captures vivid footage
Alaska, largely unspoiled wilderness, looks like something out of The Lord of the Rings.
Researchers with the Alaska Volcano Observatory — which monitors the state's dynamic volcanoes — recently flew over Mount Spurr, a steep-sided volcano that has shown signs of unrest as quakes shake the mountain. The agency posted a video of its February swoop above towering Mount Spurr, showing vigorous plumes of vapor coming from the summit's fumaroles, or vents.
"Enjoy this spectacular video of the summit crater of Mt. Spurr, taken by AVO staff during fieldwork Feb 7," AVO posted on X, formerly Twitter. "The lake, which formed [in] summer 2024, is mostly covered in ice w/ some turquoise water visible. The fumaroles (steam/gas vents) are the source of the white vapor plumes."
SEE ALSO: What will happen when the next supervolcano erupts, according to NASAAs the plane approaches Spurr, you can spy the extensive snow-blanketed mountains in this geologically vibrant part of the world, an area on Earth's "Ring of Fire," where some of the colossal tectonic plates of our planet's crust meet and stoke volcanism. Then, you can look down into the cavernous, streaming summit crater.
Tweet may have been deletedAn eruption, however, is far from certain. Previous Mount Spurr eruptions have been accompanied by more quaking activity, ground deformation, and beyond as magma (molten rock) oozed up closer to the surface and amassed great pressure beneath the volcano.
Earth's "Ring of Fire," a region home to expansive volcanic arcs and ocean trenches. Credit: USGS"Therefore, it is very likely that if an eruption were to occur it would be preceded by additional signals that would allow advance warning," the Alaska Volcano Observatory — an association of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the State of Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys — explained on its website.
Mount Spurr, located about 80 miles from Anchorage, Alaska, is currently labeled at an "Advisory" level, just one notch above "Normal," and below "Watch" and "Warning." A significant eruption could blow a considerable amount of ash into the atmosphere, impacting and altering air travel in transpacific commercial routes; it's dangerous for jet engines to ingest volcanic ash, which is actually comprised of tiny volcanic rock.
Play 70,000 classic games for life with a retro console on sale for just $90
TL;DR: Relive your childhood by grabbing the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro for $89.97 (reg. $159) — it comes preloaded with 70,000+ classic games.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $89.97$159.99 Save $70.02 Get Deal
Have the winter blues got you down? You could try to entertain yourself by doomscrolling yet again. Or, you could relive some of your best childhood memories with this retro-inspired gaming console.
The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console comes with over 70,000 classic games from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s, letting you relive your childhood or college gaming days, and it even doubles as a streaming console. Grab it while it's available for $89.97 (reg. $159) with free shipping.
Rather than spend another night doomscrolling your social media feed, end your workday (or start the weekend) with classics like Super Mario, Street Fighter, and Pac-Man. All you need to do to set up the Kinhank is plug it into your TV, grab a controller, and dive right into the action. No extra installation or hardware is necessary.
Have a solo game night to decompress and relive your childhood by racing or completing puzzles. Or, invite your siblings or friends over to enjoy the console's multiplayer mode. It comes with two wireless controllers, letting you duke it out with your brother or best friend in Super Smash Bros.
When you need a quick break from gaming, this retro gaming powerhouse lets you stream a movie or your favorite shows. Catch up on Severance or rewatch old cartoons in between gaming sessions.
Your new entertainment setup awaits. Indulge in some childhood nostalgia by yourself or with your favorite people by grabbing the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro for just $89.97 with free shipping while supplies are still available.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Koofr Cloud Storage at a discount
TL;DR: Through March 30, grab a lifetime of cloud storage from Koofr on sale for $119.97 with coupon code KOOFR.
So many cloud storage services come with a monthly fee. It may feel cheap at first, but how many of those files are only there temporarily? With every month you pay for cloud storage, the value starts to fade. The cheaper overall alternative is to get cloud storage that lasts for life without needing to pay more than a one-time fee. Take a look at Koofr's offer for a 1TB lifetime cloud storage subscription for $119.97 with code KOOFR.
Koofr takes your privacy seriously with top-notch encryption for your files, both when they're being transferred and while they're stored. They also don’t track your activity, so you can rest easy knowing your data is secure and private.
What really stands out about Koofr is how flexible and user-friendly Koofr is. Whether you're on your smartphone, desktop, or using WebDAV, you can easily access and manage your files from anywhere. The interface is straightforward, so even if you're new to cloud storage, you’ll find it easy to use.
Plus, if you’re already using other cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, or OneDrive, Koofr integrates smoothly, letting you handle everything from one place.
And for keeping your digital space in order, Koofr has some neat features. The Duplicate Finder helps you eliminate unnecessary duplicates, while advanced renaming options let you customize file links. This way, you can keep your files organized and your digital space clutter-free.
Keep your files safe and sound with a Koofr 1TB Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for $119.97 with promo code KOOFR until March 30.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) $159.99$810.00 Save $650.01 Get Deal
Burnout? Low pay? This might be your solution.
TL;DR: You can get lifetime access to 18 online ethical hacking courses for $35 (reg. $1098) — that’s less than $2 per course.
You’re exhausted, underpaid, and wondering if this is all there is. Nope: Tech and cybersecurity jobs are booming, and they might be how you escape a job that doesn’t appreciate your talent or pay you what you’re worth. Plus, getting your foot in the door can be as simple as being self-taught and having the right certifications.
You may be thinking, ‘But that’s not me…,’ and we say, ‘Not yet.’ We have an excellent cybersecurity training bundle that could prepare you for jobs like penetration tester, security consultant, or security analyst, all of which are high-earning roles. Unlike college courses, these are only $35 while they’re on sale.
What you’ll learn, and what you can do with itHave you ever heard the term ‘ethical hacking’? It’s what you’ll learn to do through these courses. Basically, you’ll think like the bad guys, simulating attacks on systems or networks so you can discover weaknesses or vulnerabilities and repair them before real threats happen.
After learning about the tools and strategies real ethical hackers use, you might earn certifications to solidify your knowledge. This is what prospective employers will be looking for when you apply for jobs — not always a formal degree.
Still need some motivation to make this career change? Does it help to know that the median salary for an experienced ethical hacker is $212,000? Yeah, jump on this.
Study to become an ethical hacker with our $35 bundle of courses, normally $45.99. No coupon is needed to take advantage of this discounted price.
The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle - $35
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StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Aleksa Tamburkovski The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle $34.97$1,098.00 Save $1,063.03 Get Deal
Get a powerful PC that won’t take over your desk for under $300
TL;DR: Save 27% on a refurbished HP EliteDesk, a mini desktop that comes with Windows 10 Pro, a keyboard and mouse, and 256GB of storage while supplies last.
Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini Desktop (2015) 2.2GHz i5-9500T 16GB RAM 256GB SSD Windows 10 Pro (Refurbished) + Accessories Bundle $274.97$379.99 Save $105.02 Get Deal
You might be thinking it's time for a home office upgrade. Your laptop may have been a trusty device, but you may be holding your productivity back by not upgrading to a desktop.
Desktops may have been large and clunky in the past, but you can get the performance and battery upgrade of a desktop without the clutter. Just add this mini HP desktop to your office. This compact, refurbished HP EliteDesk brings power in its sleek design, and it's now available for $274.97, or 27% off the usual price of $379.
This HP EliteDesk was awarded a grade "A" rating, meaning it'll arrive in near-mint condition with minimal wear and functions like new. The only downside of shopping refurbished is that inventory is limited.
Desktop power in a compact designYour casual tasks and day-to-day work can get a performance boost with this EliteDesk's Intel Core i5 and 16GB of RAM. Run your Microsoft apps, Adobe Suite, or other programs simultaneously with minimal to no lag. You'll even be able to game on this mini desktop, and users can save photos, files, and other media locally, thanks to its 256GB SSD.
Adding to this desktop's enhanced processing and providing built-in security is Windows 10 Pro integration. This operating system is equipped with measures like BitLocker device encryption and Windows Information Protection services, features that aren't available on the free Home version of Windows 10.
Here's yet another pro of this desktop: the HP EliteDesk comes with a keyboard and mouse for increased productivity, so you'll only need to add a monitor. Plug in your peripherals through its variety of ports.
All of these features are housed in an unobtrusive, sleek profile. Whether you're adding this to your home office or office cubicle, this desktop won't take up much surface area.
Take advantage of this limited-time offer on this refurbished HP EliteDesk Mini Desktop, now $274.97, while inventory is still available.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is live. How to get free books during this enchanting event.
FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 21. Enchant Your Kindle offers fantasy, romantasy, dark romantasy, paranormal romance, magical realism, and more for free.
We're back once again with another Stuff Your Kindle Day. Bookworms have been treated to a number of these events in 2025, but that doesn't make them any less exciting. These events cause a serious stir in reading communities like BookTok, and it's clear to see why. It's not every day that you get to stock up on books without paying anything at all.
Stuff Your Kindle Day provides an incredible opportunity to stock up on hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of books for free. And better yet, the books that you download are yours to keep. It sounds too good to be true, but it's legit.
SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on fantasy, romantasy, dark romantasy, urban fantasy, gaslamp fantasy, paranormal romance, and magical realism books. Does the Enchant Your Kindle event sound like your kind of thing? You're in luck. We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event, so that you can make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day.
When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?The Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule has been incredibly busy in 2025. The most recent events took place on Jan. 28, Feb. 10, Feb. 14, with everything from monster romance to indie titles on offer for absolutely nothing.
And now on Feb. 21, the Enchant Your Kindle event is offering free fantasy, romantasy, dark romantasy, urban fantasy, gaslamp fantasy, paranormal romance, and magical realism books all day.
Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?The special thing about Stuff Your Kindle Day is that anyone can participate.
You don't need to own a Kindle to get involved. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone, as you can also find these free titles on the Google Play and Apple Books apps.
Which e-books are free?Finding all of these free books is straightforward thanks to The Enchanted Realm. There's a helpful hub page for Enchant Your Kindle, with links to sub-genres that the event covers:
By following these links, you're directed to a selection of relevant titles. Now there's nothing stopping you from stocking up!
Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books per month that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow, so don't hold back.
Shop Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon$145.96 Save $35.97 Get Deal Why we like it
These super popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. They start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited absolutely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.
Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.
That C1 chip in the new iPhone 16e? Its a big deal for future iPhones, too
If you go by definition, Apple's new C1 chip isn't the sexiest thing in the world.
Per Apple, it's "the first modem designed by Apple." Given that all previous iPhones also had some sort of modem chip inside — for example, the iPhone 16 sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon X71M — it's easy to overlook the C1 as just another chip that makes the iPhone do basic iPhone stuff like connecting to the internet.
But the Apple C1, which debuted in the company's new iPhone 16e, could be a bigger deal than you think. Apple says that C1 contributes to the iPhone 16e's "extraordinary battery life."
SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 16e doesn't have MagSafe, but there's a fixThe C1 chip was actually a very complex endeavor. Speaking to Retuers, Johny Srouji, Apple's senior vice president of hardware technologies, said that that the baseband modem was manufactured with advanced 4-nanometer chipmaking technology, while the transceiver was made with 7-nanometer technology. It had to be tested with 180 carriers in 55 countries to make sure it works, well, everywhere.
Indeed, the iPhone 16e beats the iPhone 16 in battery life by a large margin (up to 26 hours of video playback vs. the iPhone 16's 22 hours of video playback), despite the two phones being roughly the same size.
Now, Apple sleuth Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple's C1 chip will also be used for the rumored "slim iPhone 17."
Tweet may have been deletedAnd while Apple rarely discusses future products or plans, the Srouji told Reuters that "C1 is the start."
"We're going to keep improving that technology each generation, so that it becomes a platform for us that will be used to truly differentiate this technology for our products," he said. According to MacRumors, who quoted a source with a good track record as saying that Apple is already working on a C2 modem, which could be even more power efficient, as well as offer faster and more reliable 5G connectivity.
In practical terms, this could mean that Apple's rumored slim iPhone 17 will have a longer battery life than one might expect given its thin profile. The rest of the iPhone 17 lineup will still feature Qualcomm modems according to Kuo, but in the future, Apple silicon might finally take iPhones to a place where you can forget to charge them overnight and still have battery left at the end of the next day.
Turn your TV into a smart TV with this Fire Stick 4K deal
SAVE $12: As of Feb. 21, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K is on sale at Amazon for $37.99. That's a 24% discount on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K $37.99 at Amazon$49.99 Save $12.00 Get Deal
Amazon's Fire TV Stick is one of the retailer's most popular products, and it's no secret why. It's a streaming device that plugs into your TV (or laptop) and lets you access platforms including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and more. It comes with a remote with Alexa built-in, helping you turn any TV into a smart TV, for less than $50.
And as of Feb. 21, you can get it for even less. The newest model of the Fire Stick 4K is currently reduced by 24%, now priced at $37.99.
SEE ALSO: The Amazon Fire TV 4-Series is at its lowest-ever price at AmazonAnd there's no complicated setup for this device. These handy remotes are so simple to use, anyone can do it. Just pop the device into your TV's HDMI port, and that's it. You'll have instant access to a range of streaming platforms as well as many live channels.
And with the Fire Stick 4K, you can enjoy incredible 4K Ultra HD visuals with advanced HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10+. This model also boasts a much more powerful processor and enhanced Dolby Atmos support than its predecessor, ensuring a smoother performance and better quality sound.
Head to Amazon to grab this great deal.
Save $100 on this game-changing coffee machine from Breville
SAVE $100: As of Feb. 21, the Breville Barista Express Impress is on sale for $799.95 at Amazon. That's an 11% saving on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Express Impress $799.95 at Amazon$899.95 Save $100.00 Get Deal
Barista-style coffee from the comfort of your own home is every coffee lover's dream, and with this Amazon deal, maybe it could soon be your reality. As of Feb. 21, you can find the impressive Breville Barista Express Impress reduced by $100, now $799.95.
This premium machine is the ideal choice if you take your coffee quality seriously. It has a fantastic impress puck system, meaning you don't need to use guesswork when trying to craft the perfect espresso. The intelligent dosing system automatically calculates the perfect amount of coffee, with adjustments for each dose for consistent results. Assisted tamping ensures a perfect finish, replicating professional barista techniques.
SEE ALSO: The best coffee machines for modern kitchensThe built-in grinder allows you to use a variety of beans, and the 25 grind settings let you pick between a fine or coarse bean. Other standout features include an integrated conical burr grinder and a Thermocoil heating system with precise temperature control.
If you're a latte or cappuccino person, the built-in steam wand lets you create perfectly velvety foam for any drink.
Ready to show off your barista skills? Head to Amazon to grab this great deal.
How to watch Afghanistan vs. South Africa online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Afghanistan vs. South Africa in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and India have all started their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy campaigns, and now it's the turn of the teams from Group B. Afghanistan vs. South Africa is the first game from this ultra-competitive group. Both teams will be desperate to start the tournament with a victory.
If you want to watch Afghanistan vs. South Africa in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Afghanistan vs. South Africa?Afghanistan vs. South Africa in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy starts at 4 a.m. ET on Feb. 21. This ODI takes place at the National Bank Stadium.
How to watch Afghanistan vs. South Africa for freeThe following platforms are offering coverage of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy:
Australia — Prime Video (free with 30-day trial)
India — Disney+ Hotstar
New Zealand — Sky TV NZ
UK — Sky Sports
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is available to live stream for free in Pakistan. The free streaming platforms are geo-restricted to Pakistan, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Pakistan, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Pakistan
Live stream Afghanistan vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Afghanistan vs. South Africa (plus every other 2025 ICC Champions Trophy game) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for live sport?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Afghanistan vs. South Africa in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free with ExpressVPN.
Forget Tinder, these 420-dating apps are way more chill
"I don't care that you're a stoner" are words any weed enthusiast would love to hear during a hangout sesh — ideally from the lips of Chappell Roan herself during an a cappella serenade of "Red Wine Supernova," but from any old date works, too. And while it's a tricky subject to bring up on a blind date or serendipitous meet-cute, putting the feelers out on a dating app can help you avoid any more awkward first dates with someone who's not about that life.
Past that, if ingesting weed in your preferred form comes to mind when listing off your hobbies, it's completely valid to prefer a match who would also enjoy a night of Netflix, the couch, and a laser bong.
SEE ALSO: 10 free dating apps worth trying in 2025 Is there a 420-friendly dating site? Yes, but...Finding a weed-friendly partner doesn't require a weed-centric dating app, though a few of those technically do exist. High There! and 420 Singles would probably be considered the two "main" stoner dating apps, though "main" is a bit of a stretch considering the lack of an active user base. While we would love to find an active dating site just for marijuana users, user reviews point back to the same issues: Of the few profiles that aren't dead or bots, these apps often devolve into places to buy and sell weed.
SEE ALSO: The uncomfortable truth behind the lavender marriage trendLuckily, there are plenty of mainstream dating apps that let you filter by interests or even mention your love for cannabis in your bio (regardless of whether or not recreational weed has been legalized and/or decriminalized in your state). That said, not all of these advanced matchmaking features for finding your fellow stoners are free. On Hinge, for example, you can't filter based on marijuana stance (or height, political views, or religion) unless you're a paid subscriber. Your best bet is to disclose your 420 status in your bio — just don't make it the primary focus.
Below, we've pulled the best 420-friendly dating apps of 2025. These apps are where the cannabis-loving community finds love (and maybe a smoke buddy). So skip the uncomfortable small talk and get straight to connecting with people who get it.
Severance Season 2, episode 6: Whats with those documents Mr. Drummond finds?
From tense employee reviews to Mark (Adam Scott) collapsing due to reintegration, a lot happens in Severance Season 2, episode 6 — so much so that one brief sequence may have slipped under the radar.
We're talking about Lumon employee Mr. Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) — the intimidatingly deep-voiced gentleman who conducts Milchick's review — breaking into a house to look at some documents.
But whose house is he entering, and what's the deal with the documents he finds? Let's recap.
SEE ALSO: 'Severance's Dieter Eagan story is more important than you think What does Mr. Drummond do in Season 2, episode 6?While outtie Irving (John Turturro) is having dinner with Burt (Christopher Walken) and his partner, we see a shot of Mr. Drummond approaching Irving's unoccupied house. Producing a large set of keys, Mr. Drummond lets himself in, then opens a padlocked chest to reveal a set of jumbled documents.
Lifting up a "Kier Regional Road Map," Mr. Drummond finds a long list of typed names. At the top, someone – presumably Irving – has scrawled "Severed Employee List."
The pages appear to be an alphabetised list of every Lumon employee who has undergone the Severance procedure, along with details such as age, address, and the possible date the procedure was undertaken. There are also pencil notes next to some of the names. Beside "Doug Coleman," for instance – who apparently fractured his hand in a car crash and was involved in a subsequent lawsuit with the city over the placement of a stop sign – Irving has written: "Did the settlement lead to Severance?"
What are you up to, Irving? Credit: Apple TV+ Why does Irving have these documents?Now this is the big question, isn't it? We already know that outtie Irving was obsessively drawing the exports hall – the entrance to the mysterious "testing floor" where Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman) is sent in Season 1 – so it's clear that he has an interest in Lumon's secrets. But based on the discovery of the list, it seems like he may be far deeper in than we first thought.
Could he be actively working to track down Severed employees in order to bring Lumon's secrets to light? And could that have something to do with the phone call he makes on a pay phone in episode 5?
Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every Friday.