Have you seen this video of a nervous Amazon driver having a conversation with a dog? It’s freakin’ adorable. A doorbell cam captured the wholesome moment an Amazon delivery driver wary of a dog sitting on the porch overcame his fear and approached the pooch for a cute conversation. I’d tell an Amazon joke here, but I’m worried about my delivery.
Sanitize Amazon boxes, Zoombombing, Apple Pay tricks and more: Tech Q&A
Each week, I receive tons of questions from my listeners about tech concerns, new products and all things digital.
Sometimes, choosing the most interesting questions to highlight is the best part of my job. This week, I received questions about deliveries, cash alternatives, private video calls and more.
Do you have a question you’d like to ask me? I’m working from home like you. Tap or click here to email me directly.
Sanitize Amazon boxes
Q: I have been ordering things that I need from Amazon and Walmart. Can the coronavirus live on the delivery boxes?
A: Yes, absolutely. Of all the surfaces COVID-19 loves to cling to, cardboard is a favorite. By some estimates, coronavirus can inhabit the surface of a cardboard box for up to 24 hours. It’s terrifying, considering how many of our goods are packed in the stuff — especially Amazon deliveries.
So before you bust out the box-cutter and dive into your precious cargo, make sure to open boxes the right way. You have to handle what you ordered inside the box correctly, too. In some cases, you can ask delivery drivers to leave your order in a secure location, where you should wait to pick it up until the virus has assuredly gone away.
Tap or click here for the steps to properly handle Amazon boxes and orders during the pandemic.
Best newsletters
Q: You offer a dozen different email newsletters. Which three are the best?
A: I think they’re all the best, but I just launched a new free newsletter called The Current. It contains no ads, just tech news, analyses and links to content where you can read more. It comes out twice a week. Tap or click here to sign up.
The most important newsletter is probably Fraud & Security Alerts, which is only released when there is time-sensitive information that could save you from cybercrime. Breaking Tech News is great for people who want the latest information because I send it out daily. Tap or click here to subscribe to my newsletters.
4 text scams sweeping the country
Scammers are flooding phones with fake alerts about tolls, accounts, and deliveries. Here’s how to spot the tricks before you get caught.
🚁 Walmart’s drone army: Wing and Walmart are dropping drone deliveries in 100 more stores. If you’re in Atlanta, Charlotte or Orlando, your box of Pop-Tarts might arrive like it’s a military op. Drones now deliver within 30 minutes for orders up to 5 pounds. Those aren’t UFOs, Samantha. That’s your emotional support rotisserie chicken.
Cracking the case: You can buy mystery bundles of unclaimed mail starting around $40. The boxes could contain anything from knock-off Chanel bags and fake IDs to total junk. Florida-based Fundelivered has sold over 90,000 bundles in the last three years. I wanted to buy one, but they’re sold out. What a great business idea, right?
Protect your deliveries from sneaky theives
Your front doorstep is a landing pad for all your deliveries — and porch pirates. Here’s how to protect your packages.
Protecting yourself against porch thieves
Stop holiday thieves who steal deliveries right from your front door