It’s a tech-sensational Saturday, friend! Here’s a tip for my auction lovers. Next time you’re bidding on eBay, science says you should use a round percentage of the asking price. Say a seller wants $44. You’ll win the bid at $22, or 50%, more often than if you’d $24, or 54%. Sweet.

Hey, tune in: Be sure to listen to my national radio show this weekend. With over 400 stations strong, find your closest one using our super-duper station locator map — or listen commercial-free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or in the Komando Community. Get 30 days free here. You’re gonna love it, I promise. Let’s jump into today’s issue! — Kim

At my last check, I had 186 devices connected to my home network. Boy, oh, boy. I bet you have a lot, too. Add in your spouse, kids, roommates or whoever lives with you, and your network is working overtime.

Your neighbors may be using your Wi‑Fi, too. I’ll bet you have no idea about everything using your network. That's a mistake. I make it a habit to check my network every couple of months for anything that shouldn't be there — and so should you!

The simplest way

Log into your router’s online interface for a real-time look. You’ll need your computer’s IP address. (Here’s how to find it.) Type that into your browser’s address bar. The menu should pop up, and now you can log in with the custom username and password for your router — or the default information if you never set one.

Check for a list called "DHCP Client" or "Connected Devices." If you see something you don’t recognize, you have an annoying but necessary task ahead of you: Change your Wi‑Fi password and reconnect only the devices you trust.

Have an app do it for you

Advanced IP Scanner is a free, reliable option compatible with Windows 10 and 11. You have to download and install it, but it’s a little easier to use than your router’s online interface. Once it’s installed, simply open the program and click the large, green button that says "SCAN."

This is what the pros use

Acrylic’s Wi‑Fi Analyzer is what Komando IT Genius John relies on. The free version gives you information for up to five devices (unlimited if you pay, starting at $45 a year). It can also monitor traffic on your network and manage passwords. It’s worth it for a business or if you have multiple networks.

Kick out strangers, but don’t forget these

🚨 When I upgraded to a mesh Wi‑Fi network at our house, I renamed it "FBI Surveillance Van." A few hours later, Barry came running into my office and said, "You're not going to believe this, but there's an FBI van on our street!" I fessed up.

Don’t you just love watching and listening to your neighborhood birds? Here are a few tools to help you get closer to nature, whatever that looks like for you.

Clock ticking: TikTok's future took a huge hit this past week, with the House voting 352‑65 to ban the Communist China app. Cue the chaos as small-biz folks, teachers, activists and young people hit the Capitol, waving signs about TikTok's “crucial” role in our economy and public life (paywall link). The bill still needs to be passed by the Senate.

💰 Hefty cashback: Walmart is coughing up $45 million to settle a class-action lawsuit for allegedly overcharging us on weighted goods and bagged citrus from October 2018 to January 2024. Got squeezed? You could get up to $500 if you file a claim by June 5, 2024 — no receipt is needed, but proof of your purchase might fatten your check.

Is that a tablet in your pocket? Consumer Reports (paywall link) ranked phones that go the distance by using a robotic finger to simulate our relentless scrolling. Spoiler: Bigger phones = Better battery life. Top contenders include the Apple iPhone 15 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S24+ and Nothing Phone 2.

FBI's latest headache? Investment scams, which stole $4.57 billion from folks in 2023. If you're between the ages of 30 and 49, be careful — these scammers are targeting you via crypto, social media and dating platforms. Netcraft recently shut down thousands of phony investment sites. Don’t fall for those "once-in-a-lifetime" DMs.

⛳ Lawn disorder: A University of Michigan study reveals men who love golfing and gardening might have an increased risk for Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS — the same paralyzing disease Stephen Hawking had. Researchers suspect pesticides with formaldehyde could be the culprit. The evidence isn't final, so don't quit your hobbies just yet.

So much drama: Over Apple’s Journal app. Here’s the scoop on what “Discoverable by others” really means.

He sees you when you’re sleeping: Uncle Sam, not Santa. Find out what the government knows about you.

Faceoff: I tested ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity to see which chatbot won the day. Results here!

Check, done: Verify your LinkedIn profile. You’ll look more legit to potential employees and employers.

TMI: Apps overshare, no question. You can stop that.

Listen up: You don’t have to spend $200 or more for high-quality earbuds. Raycons have studio-quality sound and a whopping 32 hours of battery life, and they fit comfortably in every ear with precise fittings. Grab ‘em for 20% off (and free shipping!) at BuyRaycon.com/Kim.*

⛔ Privacy, please: So you’ve upgraded with an outdoor shower — or maybe your Ring doorbell looks directly into your neighbor’s side yard. Open your Ring Video Doorbell app, tap the three-line icon, and then Device > Privacy Settings > Privacy Zones. Tap the plus sign and set the areas you don’t want your Ring video to see, and you’re all set with a virtual privacy screen.

That’s not my name: If you need to rename a bunch of files on macOS with the same format or text, select them all in Finder, then hold Ctrl + click on one of them. After that, choose Rename to apply the same changes to them all.

💳 Turning dollars into sense: Consolidate leftover Visa cards with just a little bit of cash remaining on them using Amazon. Go to Account > Gift Cards > Purchase a Gift Card in the total of your remaining balance and send that electronic gift card to yourself. Now you can spend it. Easy‑peasy.

A GIF says a thousand words: Why send a written response when you could send a funny GIF? On iPhone, open a message, then tap the plus sign > More. Tap #images and search for the right sentiment. Select it and send it to your recipient. On Android, start a chat, tap the emoji smiley face, then the search icon. So fun!

I trust SimpliSafe to protect my home and studio from break-ins, fires, floods and any unwelcome surprises. With SimpliSafe, you don’t just get alerts on your phone — you get a fortress.

Not sure where to start? Take their quick quiz to see the perfect system tailored to your specific needs. Whether you live in a cozy apartment or a sprawling home, or you oversee a business, they’ve got you covered.

The irony: Elon Musk is playing self-driving tricks today.

📩 Loyal reader Joan asked me if I post these newsletters on my website. Sure do! Go to komando.com and click that yellow “Latest issue” button at the top right for today’s issue — or browse the full archive here.

☘️ Watch out for St. Patrick's Day scammers. I just had a guy try to sell me a piece of stone he said was from Ireland and kissed by St. Patrick. When I looked underneath, it said, “Made in China.” It was obviously a sham‑rock. (Go ahead, tell that one to your family and friends for a groan!)

Shoutout to you for making it to the end. And an even bigger shoutout if you leave us a rating to let us know how we’re doing. I’m honored you let me in your inbox. Back tomorrow with intel on how to save money by canceling cable and still watch the shows you want! The dream, right? See you back here with the best newsletter in the USA! — Kim