diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 4769c84..730282e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -5,21 +5,20 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
-## 1.4.0 (2026-06-26)
-
-### Fixed
+## 1.5.0 (2026-06-26)
 
-- `use_block_editor_for_post` filter was incorrectly registered as `add_action` — now uses proper `add_filter` (#19)
-- Plugin deactivation never cleaned up options — `delete_option()` was wrapped in `add_action('init', ...)` which never runs during deactivation
-- `update_option('default_ping_status')` and `update_option('default_comment_status')` ran on every admin page load — moved to activation hook, runs once
-- `uninstall.php` now cleans up `ct-optimization` and `ct_optimization_activation_flushed` options from database
-
-### Performance
+### Added
 
-- Centralized option loading: new `Codetot_Optimization::get_options()` parses options once per request with static cache. Process, Gravity Forms, and Assets classes share the same instance instead of each calling `get_option()` independently
-- Reduced DB queries: `get_option('ct-optimization')` called 1× per request instead of 3×+
+- **Remove query strings** (`?ver=`) from enqueued scripts and styles — improves cache hit rate on CDN and proxy caches
+- **Disable self pingbacks** — prevents WordPress from sending pingbacks to your own domain
+- **Disable REST API for non-authenticated users** — returns 401 for unauthenticated REST requests; keeps public endpoints intact
+- **Remove default dashboard widgets** — cleans up Quick Draft, WP News, Site Health, At a Glance, Activity, and Welcome panel
+- **Disable attachment pages** — 301 redirects attachment pages to parent post (or homepage if no parent)
+- **Remove jQuery Migrate** — removes the jquery-migrate dependency from jquery on front-end
+- **Disable native XML sitemaps** — disables WordPress 5.5+ built-in sitemaps (let SEO plugins handle it)
+- **Remove front-end dashicons** — dequeues dashicons stylesheet on front-end when not used by theme
 
-## 1.3.0 (2026-06-26)
+## 1.4.0 (2026-06-26)
 
 ### Added
 
diff --git a/README.txt b/README.txt
index 4575785..fe80697 100644
--- a/README.txt
+++ b/README.txt
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Donate link: https://codetot.com
 Tags: optimization, compress, settings, codetot
 Requires at least: 6.0
 Tested up to: 6.8
-Stable tag: 1.4.0
+Stable tag: 1.5.0
 Requires PHP: 8.0
 License: GPLv2 or later
 License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
@@ -78,13 +78,22 @@ Yes, if you are using our themes.
 
 == Changelog ==
 
+= 1.5.0 =
+* **[New]** Remove query strings (`?ver=`) from static assets for improved cache hit rate
+* **[New]** Disable self pingbacks to reduce server load
+* **[New]** Disable REST API for non-authenticated users (returns 401)
+* **[New]** Remove default dashboard widgets (Quick Draft, WP News, etc.)
+* **[New]** Disable attachment pages (301 redirect to parent post or home)
+* **[New]** Remove jQuery Migrate script from front-end
+* **[New]** Disable native WordPress XML sitemaps (WP 5.5+)
+* **[New]** Remove dashicons styles on front-end when not used by theme
+
 = 1.4.0 =
-* **[Fix]** `use_block_editor_for_post` filter was incorrectly registered as `add_action` → now uses proper `add_filter` (B1)
-* **[Fix]** Plugin deactivation never cleaned up options — `delete_option()` was wrapped in an `add_action('init', ...)` that never runs during deactivation (B2)
-* **[Fix]** `update_option('default_ping_status')` and `update_option('default_comment_status')` ran on **every admin page load** → moved to activation hook, runs once (B3)
-* **[Fix]** `uninstall.php` now cleans up `ct-optimization` and `ct_optimization_activation_flushed` options (B4)
-* **[Perf]** Centralized option loading — `Codetot_Optimization::get_options()` parses options once per request with static cache; Process, Gravity Forms, and Assets classes share the same call instead of each calling `get_option()` independently (P1)
-* **[Perf]** Reduced DB queries: `get_option('ct-optimization')` now called 1× per request instead of 3×+
+* **[Fix]** `use_block_editor_for_post` filter was incorrectly registered as `add_action` → now uses proper `add_filter`
+* **[Fix]** Plugin deactivation never cleaned up options — `delete_option()` was wrapped in `add_action('init', ...)` that never runs during deactivation
+* **[Fix]** `update_option()` calls for default comment/ping statuses moved from per-request admin to activation hook (runs once)
+* **[Fix]** `uninstall.php` now cleans up plugin options from database
+* **[Perf]** Centralized option loading — `Codetot_Optimization::get_options()` with static cache; 1 DB call per request instead of 3
 
 = 1.3.0 =
 * Official PHP 8.0-8.4 support, bumped Requires PHP to 8.0
diff --git a/admin/class-codetot-optimization-admin.php b/admin/class-codetot-optimization-admin.php
index 7982ff5..0293dec 100644
--- a/admin/class-codetot-optimization-admin.php
+++ b/admin/class-codetot-optimization-admin.php
@@ -104,7 +104,15 @@ public function get_global_keys()
       'disable_feed' => __('Feed', 'codetot-optimization'),
       'disable_shortlink' => __('Shortlink', 'codetot-optimization'),
       'disable_wlw_manifest' => __('WLW Manifest', 'codetot-optimization'),
-      'disable_inline_comment_style' => __('Inline Comment Style', 'codetot-optimization')
+      'disable_inline_comment_style' => __('Inline Comment Style', 'codetot-optimization'),
+      'disable_query_strings' => __('Query Strings from Assets', 'codetot-optimization'),
+      'disable_self_pingbacks' => __('Self Pingbacks', 'codetot-optimization'),
+      'disable_rest_api' => __('REST API (non-auth)', 'codetot-optimization'),
+      'remove_dashboard_widgets' => __('Dashboard Widgets', 'codetot-optimization'),
+      'disable_attachment_pages' => __('Attachment Pages', 'codetot-optimization'),
+      'remove_jquery_migrate' => __('jQuery Migrate', 'codetot-optimization'),
+      'disable_xml_sitemaps' => __('XML Sitemaps', 'codetot-optimization'),
+      'remove_frontend_dashicons' => __('Front-end Dashicons', 'codetot-optimization'),
     ];
   }
 
diff --git a/codetot-optimization.php b/codetot-optimization.php
index 5df5b98..cada763 100644
--- a/codetot-optimization.php
+++ b/codetot-optimization.php
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
  * Plugin Name:       CT Optimization
  * Plugin URI:        https://codetot.com
  * Description:       Provides settings for enable/disable WordPress core features and some tweaks for ACF, Gravity Forms, such like Enable CDN, Lazyload assets.
- * Version:           1.4.0
+ * Version:           1.5.0
  * Requires at least: 6.0
  * Requires PHP:      8.0
  * Author:            CODE TOT JSC
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 	die;
 }
 
-define( 'CODETOT_OPTIMIZATION_VERSION', '1.4.0' );
+define( 'CODETOT_OPTIMIZATION_VERSION', '1.5.0' );
 define( 'CODETOT_OPTIMIZATION_PATH', plugin_dir_path(__FILE__) );
 define( 'CODETOT_OPTIMIZATION_URL', plugin_dir_url(__FILE__) );
 
diff --git a/includes/class-codetot-optimization-process.php b/includes/class-codetot-optimization-process.php
index 118923d..4f3e51a 100644
--- a/includes/class-codetot-optimization-process.php
+++ b/includes/class-codetot-optimization-process.php
@@ -76,6 +76,17 @@ public function __construct()
 
     // Advanced Settings
     add_action('init', array($this, 'check_cdn'));
+
+    // New Optimization Features
+    add_filter('script_loader_src', array($this, 'remove_query_strings'), 15, 1);
+    add_filter('style_loader_src', array($this, 'remove_query_strings'), 15, 1);
+    add_action('init', array($this, 'check_self_pingbacks'));
+    add_action('init', array($this, 'check_rest_api'));
+    add_action('init', array($this, 'check_dashboard_widgets'));
+    add_action('init', array($this, 'check_attachment_pages'));
+    add_action('init', array($this, 'check_jquery_migrate'));
+    add_action('init', array($this, 'check_xml_sitemaps'));
+    add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', array($this, 'check_frontend_dashicons'), 100);
   }
 
   public function check_gutenberg()
@@ -429,4 +440,155 @@ public function calculate_image_srcset($sources)
     }
     return $sources;
   }
+
+  // ==========================================================================
+  // Phase 2: New Optimization Features
+  // ==========================================================================
+
+  /**
+   * Remove query strings (?ver=) from enqueued scripts and styles.
+   *
+   * @since 1.5.0
+   * @param string $src
+   * @return string
+   */
+  public function remove_query_strings($src)
+  {
+    if (!empty($this->options['disable_query_strings'])) {
+      $src = remove_query_arg('ver', $src);
+    }
+    return $src;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Disable self pingbacks.
+   *
+   * @since 1.5.0
+   */
+  public function check_self_pingbacks()
+  {
+    if (!empty($this->options['disable_self_pingbacks'])) {
+      add_action('pre_ping', function (&$links) {
+        $home = get_option('home');
+        foreach ($links as $l => $link) {
+          if (strpos($link, $home) === 0) {
+            unset($links[$l]);
+          }
+        }
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Disable REST API for non-authenticated users.
+   *
+   * @since 1.5.0
+   */
+  public function check_rest_api()
+  {
+    if (!empty($this->options['disable_rest_api'])) {
+      add_filter('rest_authentication_errors', function ($result) {
+        if (!empty($result)) {
+          return $result;
+        }
+        if (!is_user_logged_in()) {
+          return new WP_Error(
+            'rest_not_logged_in',
+            __('You are not currently logged in.', 'codetot-optimization'),
+            array('status' => 401)
+          );
+        }
+        return $result;
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Remove default dashboard widgets.
+   *
+   * @since 1.5.0
+   */
+  public function check_dashboard_widgets()
+  {
+    if (!empty($this->options['remove_dashboard_widgets'])) {
+      add_action('wp_dashboard_setup', function () {
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_quick_press', 'dashboard', 'side');
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_primary', 'dashboard', 'side');
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_secondary', 'dashboard', 'side');
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_site_health', 'dashboard', 'normal');
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_right_now', 'dashboard', 'normal');
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_activity', 'dashboard', 'normal');
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_incoming_links', 'dashboard', 'normal');
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_plugins', 'dashboard', 'normal');
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_recent_comments', 'dashboard', 'normal');
+        remove_meta_box('dashboard_recent_drafts', 'dashboard', 'normal');
+        remove_action('welcome_panel', 'wp_welcome_panel');
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Disable attachment pages — redirect to parent or home.
+   *
+   * @since 1.5.0
+   */
+  public function check_attachment_pages()
+  {
+    if (!empty($this->options['disable_attachment_pages'])) {
+      add_action('template_redirect', function () {
+        if (is_attachment()) {
+          global $post;
+          if ($post && $post->post_parent) {
+            wp_redirect(get_permalink($post->post_parent), 301);
+          } else {
+            wp_redirect(home_url(), 301);
+          }
+          exit;
+        }
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Remove jQuery Migrate script.
+   *
+   * @since 1.5.0
+   */
+  public function check_jquery_migrate()
+  {
+    if (!empty($this->options['remove_jquery_migrate'])) {
+      add_action('wp_default_scripts', function ($scripts) {
+        if (!empty($scripts->registered['jquery'])) {
+          $jquery_deps = $scripts->registered['jquery']->deps;
+          $scripts->registered['jquery']->deps = array_diff($jquery_deps, array('jquery-migrate'));
+        }
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Disable native WordPress XML sitemaps (WP 5.5+).
+   *
+   * @since 1.5.0
+   */
+  public function check_xml_sitemaps()
+  {
+    if (!empty($this->options['disable_xml_sitemaps'])) {
+      add_filter('wp_sitemaps_enabled', '__return_false');
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Remove dashicons styles on front-end when not used by theme.
+   *
+   * @since 1.5.0
+   */
+  public function check_frontend_dashicons()
+  {
+    if (!empty($this->options['remove_frontend_dashicons'])) {
+      if (!is_admin() && !is_customize_preview()) {
+        wp_dequeue_style('dashicons');
+      }
+    }
+  }
 }