Hi, hello, it’s a tech-tastic Thursday, friend! Spotted on eBay: An iPhone 13 Pro Max in excellent condition, listed for $1 million. What gives? The four-year-old model comes with TikTok installed. The ban is on hold, but Apple and Google probably won’t add TikTok back to their app stores until there’s a buyer. Anyone who deleted the app is screwed. Most TikTok-ready phones on eBay are listed for a few thousand bucks. More power to ‘em if they find someone willing to pay.

⌨️ Protect what you type. Today’s newsletter is free to you thanks to EndpointLock. Their genius tech stops hackers from capturing your keystrokes when you enter a username, account number, password or anything else. More below. Let’s get to it! — Kim

Can you guess how much money super-cheap Chinese retailer Temu raked in last year? The answer is about $54 billion, and the latest numbers show almost half that total came from American shoppers.

It’s hard to resist inexpensive stuff shipped right to your door, even when you end up with hilarious fails like this. Want a way to score Temu-like deals without giving Communist China all your personal data? Meet Amazon Haul, the new online destination for dirt-cheap finds.

Before you light up my inbox with, “Kim Komando, this is just cheap crap from China!” … I know. If buying this stuff feels like a waste to you, keep scrollin’, my friend.

Amazon Haul 101

You can’t shop for this cheap stuff in your browser; Haul is only built into the Amazon Shopping app. Look for the “Haul” tab at the top. In case you need ‘em, here are links to download the Amazon app for iPhone and for Android.

Everything is under $20, but most items are way, way less. You’ll find everything from electronics to hair accessories to cooking utensils.

What about shipping? Free next-day Prime delivery doesn’t apply. For Haul orders over $25, there’s no shipping charge, but expect to wait a week or two while your stuff comes directly from China. For orders under $25, there’s a $3.99 fee.

🛍️ Haul returns are free for purchases over $3 within 15 days. Mail back your stuff or use any of Amazon’s drop-off spots, like Whole Foods, UPS, Kohl's and Staples.

Red flags

Amazon Haul is full of brands you’ve never heard of. What you buy online might not be exactly what arrives. Here are a few musts so you’re not completely throwing away money:

🛒 Things in my cart under $2

Amazon wants to build up buzz and reviews, so most things on Haul are an extra 60% off right now.

One more time: Haul is mobile-only (for now). Click any of these links below from a computer and you’ll see a QR code you can scan with your phone’s camera. While you can’t shop from your computer, you can see completed orders there.

Remember, there’s no overnight or two-day shipping in Haul. So, first, I’ll tell you about the Haul product that could take weeks, then I’ll link to the regular Amazon pick you can get immediately.

😂 I wonder if they sell wigs. That’d be a small-price toupee. OK, let me try again. Why’s gravity so cheap? It's mass-produced. (Oh, I feel your pain!)

I’m always looking for ways to keep you safe on your devices. Did you know there’s malware out there that records every single thing you type? It’s called a keylogger, and it’s one of the sneakiest ways hackers steal passwords, credit card numbers and private info. Scary, right?

That’s where EndpointLock comes in. Think of it like a secret vault for your keyboard. It encrypts, or scrambles, every keystroke you type. Even if a hacker is trying to spy on you, all they’ll see is gibberish. It works quietly in the background, protecting you every time you log into your bank, shop online or send a private email.

Keyloggers are more common than you think, but with EndpointLock, they don’t stand a chance!

🚨 Botnet alert: Researchers found a botnet called “Murdoc” targeting security cameras and routers worldwide. Over 1,000 devices are compromised; AVTECH IP cameras and Huawei HG532 routers are the main targets. Once hackers take control, they can launch DDoS attacks or steal your info. Fixes are coming from the manufacturers, so keep your router (steps here) and security cams updated.

Tragic and chilling: This is so sad. A 63-year-old North Carolina man shot his wife, then confessed to the murder in a Facebook group he was an admin for before taking his life. “My wife admitted to cheating on me so I killed her, I’m about to kill myself. Figure this group out for your selves,” he wrote. The couple was married for over 34 years.

Color me surprised: Samsung just dropped the details about its new Galaxy S25 smartphones, and they’re basically S24 models with better processors to handle the real upgrade: Samsung AI. Neat, new features include a lock screen summary with info to help you plan your day; Photoshop-level editing with a swipe of your finger; and cross-app actions that let you layer multiple requests into one, like, “Find a well-rated coffee shop nearby and text the address to Barry."

🎓 Absolutely ridiculous: AI detection software is flagging loads of false positives. A University of North Georgia student accused of cheating on an assignment lost her scholarship. The crime? She turned on Grammarly for spellchecking, something the university recommends. Parents, tell your kids to leave a trail of proof they did their own work, like a Google Doc with a draft history.

😅 I can’t believe I’m typing this: Women on TikTok are pouring castor oil into their belly buttons every night to help with digestion and bloating. Castor oil does have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so maybe they’re onto something. No crude jokes, OK?

Welcome to the future: Wish you had an assistant to update your website or plan your summer trip? That’s what AI operators do, taking control of your tech to get stuff done. Code leaked from OpenAI’s macOS app shows options like “Toggle Operator” and “Force Quit Operator,” so theirs may be coming soon.

❄️ 8.9 inches of snow: Blanketing Pensacola, Florida, and the pictures on social media are a riot. My favorites: A gator lounging in the snow and the coldest-looking beach I’ve ever seen! Stay safe, folks. Time to pull out a big heated blanket.

After I shared my router picks (and so many of you realized you have a TP‑Link …), my inbox is flooded with this one: “What do I do with my old router after I upgrade?” Good question. A factory reset wipes your username, password, Wi‑Fi network name or SSID, and any security settings.

Step 1: Look for a small button on the back or bottom of your router. It’s usually recessed (so you’ll need a paper clip to press it in) and may be labeled “Reset.”

Step 2: Do a 30-30-30 reset. It’s a bit of a pain but works for every router model I’ve come across. Here’s how:

🖨️ Printer secret: Most printers have a “Draft mode” that uses less ink when you don’t need anything fancy. (Some call it “Economy mode” or “Fast mode.”) To try it, open a document or file, hit Print, then go to Properties or Preferences, and look for Draft mode.

Nosy, nosy: On your iPhone, bring up a list of all the apps with access to your contacts. Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Contacts. Tap Limited Access for any that shouldn’t get every little detail.

I did the work for you: Protecting yourself online doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ve handpicked the five best tools to safeguard your devices, data and identity.

Because who uses Samsung Internet? Your phone probably has a couple of browsers. Disable or delete the unused one to save your battery life, free up storage space and prevent accidental opens. On Android, open Settings > Apps. Find the unused browser, then tap Disable or Uninstall. On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > [browser] > Default Browser App. Then, manage or delete the other browser under Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

Turning off alerts from your video doorbell is a mistake: Instead, set up custom motion zones. For a Ring doorbell, open the Ring app and select your device. Go to Motion Settings > Edit Motion Settings. To go into full don’t-bug-me mode, choose People Only.

🐟🎣 = Fishing for compliments: Most people think the smiley-faced emoji (🙂) is the digital equivalent of a fake smile. Pick something happier. I like 🤗, 🥰 and 😃. Lately, I’m all about the 💯.

Ditch the subscriptions you don’t use: Doing it by hand takes forever. I used the app that makes it easy: Rocket Money.* They find everything and cancel whatever you no longer want.

A boss once told me my math skills were average. That’s just mean.

Healthy stuff for free! Hit this site for coupons to try all kinds of goodies. Download the app, buy what you want from a store near you, and they’ll reimburse you via Venmo, gift card or whatever. I spotted some protein pasta I’ve been wanting to try. Oh, and did you hear about the new squirrel diet? It's just nuts!

Before you go: EndpointLock encrypts your keystrokes so no one can copy what you type. If you bank or access other financial accounts online, it’s a no-brainer. Hit this link for 10% off.*

👋 Phew, another packed issue in the books. Thank you for letting me in your inbox every day. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow with another issue of the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim