The Current powered by Kim Komando

After months of stories about people using Apple's AirTags to stalk others and even steal cars, an arrest has been made. Plus, if you don't want to give up your Facebook account but you don't want others to find it so easily, Allie has a quick tip. And Matt has the scoop on the latest embarrassing celebrity meltdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The IRS has new changes including the $600 rule, WFH deductions, child tax credits and more. In this episode, tax accountant Rachel Cheek and I dive into the many ways deductions, forms, social media and rules will impact your 2021 tax return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google is making a major change to user accounts — and it's one you should make now before it happens automatically. Plus Apple says it was gathering Siri data even when you said "no thanks." And find out why the internet is talking about celebrities and their interesting lineage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Male, 38 years old, married, two kids under five, watched a YouTube video about lawn care, visited a home improvement store in the last 10 days, listened to a podcast about lawns, earns $68,000 a year in a management position, and lives in a certain zip code. That’s how specific advertising can be today. In this episode, I sit down with advertising CTO Premesh Purayil from Freestar to learn how it works and how to opt out of the data tracking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rumors are swirling about Apple's new wedding rings that will sniff out a cheater. We've got the facts. Plus, with severe weather conditions peaking around the country, here are the best ways to stay up to date. And in Ben's weekly review, he tests out cellphones so tough you can literally drop them in acid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wade through the waters of the Dark Web and you'll find drugs, hitmen and all sorts of disturbing imagery. But it's also a haven for privacy advocates. In this episode, I speak with ASU professor Victor Benjamin, who reveals just why it's so hard to regulate — and why folks of all backgrounds can't stop coming back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple's AirTags make it easy to keep an eye on items like your keys or wallet, but they're dangerous in the wrong hands. Is Apple's response good enough? Plus, tax season has officially kicked off, and Allie has tips to get your return as fast as possible. And Matt has the info on why the internet is buzzing about the new 'Batman' movie and its cryptic online scavenger hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone has a different way of coping with tragedy. When Joshua Barbeau lost his girlfriend, he created an AI chatbot based on her personality. In this episode, Kim sits down with him as well as developer Jason Rohrer, who created the program Joshua used. You can also use it to create your own personalized chatbot for just $5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer in December 2017. By 2020, she was cancer-free. But the cancer returned with a vengeance and doctors used the word “hospice.” Here’s my own journey with her passing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for free COVID tests? Don’t go to one of the many scam sites that have popped up almost overnight. Plus, Netflix just hit a major milestone … and you’re not going to like it. Plus, how to use your Echo or phone to detect sounds like a knock at the door, barking dogs and glass breaking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neck pain, muscle strain and even "smartphone pinky syndrome" are just some of the ways tech can hurt your health. Kim chats with technology writer Nicolas Carr on the unforeseen impacts of technology on our bodies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you playing Wordle? It seems like just about everyone is! We've got pro tips to help you win the hot word game and a warning about the Wordle app. Plus, smart guns are coming and Kim has the details. And find out why the internet is up in arms over the latest "Batman" movie and its PG-13 rating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ransomware hackers recently hit a hospital, and everything from the cardiac machines to IV pumps stopped working. Doctors and nurses had to use pen and paper. There were no electronic patient records. But what happened when the hackers found out it was a hospital will undoubtedly surprise you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The major wireless providers are doing away with 3G, and the impact goes well beyond your smartphone. Plus, Ben has the best products announced at this year's CES. Matt, our trusty internet scout, has the stories going viral online, including what the "Harry Potter" reunion special got wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have a website, you want it to show up on the first page of Google for as many different search terms as possible. How can you get there? SEO, or search engine optimization, is the secret sauce that stands between you and ranking highly. Kim chats with SEO expert Steve Wiideman about the insider secrets to boost your rankings and make more money online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that we can snap pictures from our smartphones, we all have way more photos than we know what to do with. Between your physical albums and the digital images clogging up your phones and computers, you probably have so many pictures it's hard to organize them all. Good news: In this episode, Kim, Allie and Ben share a few strategies for cleaning up your massive photo collection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch out: Scammers are creating Google ads to leech off of your search traffic. This scary trick conned some people out of $500,000 in cryptocurrency. In this episode, you’ll also get some tips for snapping the perfect picture of your pets — even if they’re always moving. Plus, Ben’s spilling the beans on his very first five-star review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You probably think of your devices as tools that make life ten times easier. Keep in mind that they also collect a ton of valuable data that can be used against you. For instance, police officers can request your data as evidence. Governments can buy your data from brokers. Kim’s interview with technologist Bennett Cyphers from the Electronic Frontier Foundation reveals which gadgets snoop the most — and which secrets you’re losing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relive 2021 with the top songs, podcasts and apps of the year. Plus, a change to Twitter could put an end to certain types of bullying — if it's actually effective. And a special way to make guests feel at home using a piece of tech you already have in the house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governments have more tools than ever before when it comes to tracking down information. Sometimes that puts us at risk, but in the right hands, those tools can keep us safe here at home. In this episode, Kim talks with veteran Ricoh Danielson, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan breaking into cellphones and discovering secrets on the ground. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben has the scoop on a Log4j, a dangerous security flaw that's so ubiquitous we may see the impact for years to come. Plus, the age of subscriptions continues as one car company wants you to pay up to use your key fob. And a handy website that can remove people and objects from your photos without any editing skills. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon is your biggest fan. It knows your voice, search history, advertiser preferences, favorite books, Alexa history and more. In this episode, Kim speaks with two Reuters reporters who exposed the secret war Amazon wages on your privacy. You'll learn how to find everything Amazon knows about you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon Web Services went down and took a ton of websites and services with it. Plus, thieves are using AirTags to track potential victims. And Kim, Ben and Allie have your back with some out-of-the-box gift ideas if you're struggling to finish your holiday shopping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your digital life in need of a little TLC? Kim, Ben and Allie are here with smart ways to tidy up your tech, inside and out. You'll learn a few cleaning secrets, along with simple methods of sorting the clutter, clearing out junk and freeing up space on your devices. Looks like you just found your new holiday project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time again: The list of the top apps and streaming music of 2021 is out. Are these great downloads on your phone? Plus, Twitter just banned sharing a certain kind of photo — and Ben has the details on how this affects you. Plus, how to switch your Echo to guest mode before holiday visitors arrive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can’t protect your privacy and security if you don’t know the lingo. In this episode, Kim teaches you 10 important security terms you need to know and why they’re so crucial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you heard of ShadowDragon? It collects data from 120 major sites going back a decade. Yes, 10 years of info about YOU. Plus, the iPhone 13 and iOS 15 are here, along with Amazon's new smart home gear, including Astro, the Echo on wheels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Self-driving cars aren’t some crazy future tech … They’re here now. That raises some questions. Does it actually work? Is it safe? Is it work shelling out $8,000 for Tesla’s “full self-driving” option? To find out, Kim sat down with Consumer Report’s Head of Connected and Automated Vehicle Testing. So hop in and buckle up — we’re diving into the incredible world of automated cars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It happens like clockwork: Microsoft releases an update and the internet sounds the alarms. The latest drama involves the Edge browser. Plus, a smart tip from Ben on how to find the best prices on what you're shopping for this holiday season. And in a shocking turnaround, Apple says you'll soon be able to repair your own broken tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you use Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+ or Apple TV, chances are your favorite apps are tracking you wherever you go. In this episode, Kim and streaming analyst Dan Rayburn reveal the secret risks you take when you cut the cord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get the tech news of the day in just a few minutes with Kim, Allie and Ben. Would you pay for Twitter? The social media site sure hopes so and we’ve got the details on what you get. Plus, how to speed up your computer in just a few clicks. And Matt has the slang Gen Z kids are using to help you decode your upcoming Thanksgiving conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the digital age, we all have more photos than we know what to do with. Most are on our phones and computers, but then there are all the albums and frames full of old printed photos, too. In this episode, Kim, Allie and Ben have a few must-do steps you should take with all your photos before it's too late. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scammers have a clever new tactic that really works. They're creating Google ads to piggyback off search traffic; one scheme cost people over $500,000 in cryptocurrency in one weekend. Plus, tips for taking better pictures of your furry friends, and Ben gives his first five-Ben head review. Listen to find out what merited the honor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surprise, it's a full hour of my national radio show. If you haven't listened in a while, now is the time to catch up. In this hour, new details from leaked Facebook documents, how Alexa could be coming to a hospital near you and Blue Origin’s plans for a private space station. Want more? Listen on your schedule for 30 days free at getkim.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bad news, iPhone users. There are two ways your phone can track you, even if you've turned off all those permissions. You can help train NASA's Mars Rover AI and we'll tell you how. Plus, a fast and easy way to trade in your old tech for money and discounts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did a former senior tech leader leave the computer industry for the health supplement field? In this episode, Kim and Humann CEO Joel Kocher talk about his successes, mistakes and lessons learned. You’ll also learn how science is moving his company forward — and how that helps you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online harassment victimizes 40% of Americans. Cyberstalking can happen to anyone — and it can damage every aspect of your life, from your friendships to your future career. In this episode, Kim and cybersecurity expert Ricoh Danielson create a defense strategy you can use to protect yourself from online abuse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook is reportedly changing its name, and the internet has no shortage of funny ideas. Plus, how to use your Amazon Echo to make Halloween a little spookier. And you won't believe how many parents of young kids say it's simply "too much work" to watch what they do on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Use an Android smartphone? Bad news: New research shows certain apps are always tracking. Plus, ransomware is a huge threat to our security, but have you heard of killware? And the team has smart tech tips to make life better, including simple ways to get your real signature onto your computer or phone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Zuckerberg says privacy is a thing of the past. MeWe founder Mark Weinstein sees a better way. In this episode, you'll learn how social media platforms track, monitor and spy on their users. It's called surveillance capitalism — and Kim and Mark will tell you how to fight back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is the Facebook whistleblower? Kim has a deep dive on Frances Haugen and what might be in her future. Plus, Windows 11 is rolling out and we've got a shortcut to help you get it faster. And kids are taking a stupid TikTok trend to dangerous levels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the years, Kim has made it her mission to share quick tips and advice to make your digital life easier. These are all those clever hacks you won't find buried in a user manual. In this episode, Kim, Allie and Ben share smart new tech know-how, from a safer way to share passwords to turning your handwritten notes digital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you heard of ShadowDragon? It collects data from 120 major sites going back a decade. Yes, 10 years of info about YOU. Plus, the iPhone 13 and iOS 15 are here, along with Amazon's new smart home gear, including Astro, the Echo on wheels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you put a cheap smart bulb in your shopping cart, no one warned you it might be susceptible to hackers who could use it to break into your entire network. With more and more of our devices connected to the internet, we're all at risk. I brought in cybersecurity expert Ricoh Danielson to help you lock it all down. Find out more about Ricoh at 1stresponder.us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scam calls are on their way down, while scammy texts are increasing. Here's what to do about it. Plus, Amazon is finally taking responsibility for lousy third-party products, and Kim, Ben and Allie reminisce about the first MP3, Napster and even tapes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could algorithms be the cure to cancer? What will the future workplace look like? And how could blockchain protect our privacy better than anything we have now? In this episode, Kim sits down with Congressman David Schweikert, who provides a politician’s perspective on the biggest plans lawmakers have for the future of tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trying to get your podcast off the ground? Kim and Allie are joined by Paul Colligan, a podcast industry pro who helps new shows flourish. Plus, Kim pranked Barry with an Alexa trick you'll want to try, too, and an essential update for Windows users. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We think of our gadgets as helpful tools that make our lives easier, but they can also be turned against us. The data your devices collect is so valuable it could be used against you in a criminal trial, requested by police or even bought by the government through a data broker. Kim’s interview with technologist Bennett Cyphers from the Electronic Frontier Foundation reveals all the secrets you’re losing — and which devices do the most stealing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of assuring users Facebook can't read WhatsApp messages, the truth comes out. Kim, Allie and Ben offer up their favorite quick tech life hacks, including how to use your browser to earn cash. And in weird news of a week, a talking duck named Ripper has something to say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keeping you ignorant is profitable, which is why companies, governments and terrorist groups manufacture fake social media posts. Fall for them, and you’re letting strangers inject their lies into your brain. In this episode, Kim sits down with disinformation experts Kristy Roschke and Emerson Brooking on the scary new shadow industry designed to keep us ignorant, compliant and powerless. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices