TikTok Ban Sparks Shocking $10K Smartphone Gold Rush

The first article delves into the intriguing trend of opportunistic sellers listing smartphones with TikTok preinstalled on eBay at exorbitant prices amidst fears of a TikTok ban in the US. Sellers are capitalizing on the potential ban by pricing these devices well over $10,000, targeting collectors or individuals seeking a quick profit. This practice mirrors past instances of panic selling during cultural trends, such as the surge in demand for face masks and hand sanitizers during the coronavirus pandemic. The article draws parallels to previous incidents like the selling of PS4 consoles with P.T. installed and the Pip-Boy collectible from Fallout 4, emphasizing the recurring nature of opportunistic behavior in response to scarcity.

Moreover, the article discusses the option of sideloading TikTok onto devices as an alternative to purchasing expensive smartphones. Sideloading involves installing apps from unofficial sources, which can pose security risks such as malware infections and lack of regular updates. The piece advises caution when sideloading TikTok, highlighting potential dangers like data breaches and unauthorized access to personal information. It contrasts the scarcity of collectible items like P.T. with the lack of inherent value in TikTok preinstalled smartphones, underscoring the speculative nature of the current eBay listings.

The narrative shifts to the broader implications of the TikTok ban, exploring the concerns of US officials regarding data privacy and national security risks associated with the app's ownership by a Chinese company. The US government's push for TikTok to sell itself to an American-owned company or face a ban reflects the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and China. The article outlines the ban deadline and subsequent extension granted by President Trump, raising questions about the app's future and potential outcomes of the conflict. It concludes by cautioning buyers against purchasing overpriced TikTok smartphones on eBay, citing the uncertainty surrounding the app's accessibility and long-term viability.

On the other hand, the second article delves into the technical aspects of ESXi ransomware attacks that leverage SSH tunneling to evade detection in virtualized environments. Threat actors exploit unmonitored ESXi appliances, using SSH tunnels to establish communication with command-and-control servers stealthily. By employing native tools like SSH for tunneling, attackers create semi-persistent backdoors within corporate networks, complicating forensic investigations and monitoring activities. The piece emphasizes the importance of configuring log forwarding in ESXi appliances to streamline monitoring and enhance event capture for detecting malicious activities.

Furthermore, the article highlights the resilience of ESXi appliances for tunneling purposes and their ability to split logs into multiple files, presenting challenges for forensic analysis. It suggests configuring syslog forwarding to external servers as a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for centralized monitoring within ESXi servers. The report identifies key telemetry files in ESXi appliances that aid in detecting and investigating attacks involving SSH tunneling techniques, emphasizing the significance of monitoring activities in virtualized environments. By shedding light on the intricacies of ESXi ransomware attacks and mitigation strategies, the article offers valuable insights for cybersecurity professionals and organizations.

Links to the stories discussed: - The TikTok ban and $10K smartphones: The new gold rush of 2025 - ESXi ransomware attacks use SSH tunnels to avoid detection