The Current powered by Kim Komando

There's a new data breach around every corner, and hackers are fighting to get their hands on your personal information. The one way to protect yourself is with a VPN, or virtual private network. Kim talks with Harold Li, Vice President at ExpressVPN, about the importance of having a VPN to keep you protected and secure in this dangerous digital world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think about how much of your private info lives inside your phone. And with a clever trick, hackers can access all of it. In this episode of Komando on Demand, Kim explores the serious threat of hijacking smartphones and how cybercriminals can ruin your life. She talks with an ethical hacker about what you can do to safeguard your device. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You see work-from-home ads everywhere, from roadside posters to online pop-up ads. Are they a legitimate way to make money? The answer is complicated. In this episode of Komando on Demand, Kim takes a look at work-at-home scams and horror stories about honest people who just wanted to earn a little extra cash. Listen and learn from their mistakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to make an extra buck? In the Gig Economy, earning money isn't just about the 9-to-5 grind. Tech is changing the landscape of earning, for both employers and workers. In this episode of Komando on Demand, Kim takes a look at how people are making a quick buck on sites like Wonolo, Bellhops, Doordash and others — and talks to Randi Himelfarb, a video editor thriving in the Gig Economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if a complete stranger, or even worse someone you trust, decides to ruin your life? How easy would it be for them to destroy your career, credibility and social life? In this episode, Kim looks at the maliciousness of destroying someone online. Kim talks to a former cyberbully as well as Shannon Wilkinson, Founder and CEO of Reputation Communications, to find solutions for this problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gamers are making thousands and even millions of dollars per year, making esports a proven career option, but it's not an easy way to earn a living. Kim dives into what you need to know to succeed as a pro gamer, straight from today’s top players and nerd culture journalist Jessica Roar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hidden cameras are everywhere, and if you're concerned about your privacy on vacation ... you should be. More and more travelers are finding cameras in rentals and hotels — often hidden in unexpected places. Kim shares why spy cameras have become so commonplace, how to spot them, and what to do if you've been recorded without your say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Technology gives us access to more knowledge than ever, but is it also dumbing us down? Think about how often you turn to the internet to answer your questions or solve your problems. Could that dependence on tech inhibit us from thinking critically and making decisions? Kim talks with experts about technology, psychology and the changing definition of intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, you're a prime target for hackers, scammers and identity theft. Learn crucial safety practices to protect your wallet, privacy, bank account and home. In this episode, you'll get useful, actionable tips and tricks to stay safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travel can be stressful, and waiting in long lines and struggling through security isn't a great start to any summer getaway. But airports are getting major upgrades to help travelers navigate terminals more efficiently. In this episode of Komando on Demand, Kim looks at how airports are trying to ease the burden on travelers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Photos tell the story of who we are, what we see and how we see it. Here are some heartwarming tales of photos lost then found — sometimes years later — thanks to social media. Kim explores how photos shape us and why finding lost pictures can mean so much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Internet addiction destroys relationships, families, finances, futures and entire lives. How do addicts get hooked? It starts with carefully crafted techniques websites and apps use to keep you coming back again and again. We dive in to how these patterns work and how to break them once and for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why would any employee want to be microchipped? Would you do it? Some see microchipping as the next logical step in employee security and efficiency. Others see it as an invasion of privacy like the classic novel "1984" where Big Brother watches you 24/7. Kim explains the technology behind embedding RFID microchips in our bodies, how some employers in Sweden are already doing it, and how this technology works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a disturbing movement on YouTube that targets young children. Renowned psychologist Dr. Christine Davidson joins Kim Komando to talk about Elsagate. Listen to this fascinating conversation and learn how to protect children from adult content that's disguised as safe for kids. Dr. Davidson is the founder of Davidson Learning Center and DrDavidson.com. She specializes in education for autistic children, a population that is especially vulnerable to disturbing online video content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will technology finally put a stop to lethal high-speed car chases? Is your car holding onto information that you might not want to share with others? If you want to grow your social media following, Kim has some advice. Plus, in our Digital Life Hack, Kim tackles the tough topic of divorce. Listen as Kim answers callers' questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are smart speakers spying on you? Is your smartphone targeting your ads based on your calls? Can you grow your business just by using social media? Listen the the answers for these questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you travel overseas and you need to get online, would you know what to do? Have you ever seen a road sign that made you laugh out loud? And what’s a better email option than Gmail? Listen in as Kim answers these questions and provides you with information and laughs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. government’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency describes ransomware is a type of malware designed to deny access to a computer system or data until a ransom is paid. It typically spreads through phishing emails or by unknowingly visiting an infected website. Experts predict that ransomware attacks will cost businesses nearly $11 billion this year. Parham Eftekhari, executive director of the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, says we can fight ransomware. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many hours a day do you use your cellphone? How many wireless devices are in your home? Those devices emit radio frequency radiation. Scientists continue to study the effects of prolonged exposure to this type of radiation to see if they can cause cancer or ADHD in adults and children. Get some answers by listening to this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've ever lost anything of sentimental value, you'll relate to the stories in this podcast. You'll hear tales of lost cameras and valuable photos that were returned to their owners -- sometimes years later -- and how technology and social media reconnected them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There was a time when tiny cameras brought to mind images of James Bond. But these cameras are now available to anyone who can afford them. And they are increasingly being used to spy on guests in hotel rooms and rental properties. Lawyer Marc Lamber says laws about the issue are murky. But don't despair. There are ways to protect yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robocalls and phone scammers are getting worse. Most are merely annoying but some can be terrifying, like the scammer who threatened to kill Lynda and William Webster. Webster's name may sound familiar: He's the former head of the FBI and CIA. Plus hear some creative and hilarious ways people are getting even with robocalls, and learn tips you can use today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Texas-based tech company launched a new system that rates websites that collect your personal data. They've recently published their "data privacy misleaders board" -- a list no company wants their website to be on. Who's on it? Osano CEO and co-founder Arlo Gilbert talks about the companies that are the best and worst at collecting and sharing your personal information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know there’s a link between liking curly fries and your intelligence? According to social media algorithms there is. When you click a link, like a page or friend another person, you’re giving away valuable information. Researchers use data from hundreds of thousands of people looking for subtle patterns to find out details about you and track you. What they do with the results could determine your future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clinical trials help doctors test medications on real patients. Successful clinical trials have helped patients beat cancer and added more years of quality life. If you're interested in clinical trials, listen as Dr. David Fogleman of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center explains how clinical trials work.Anderson Cancer Center provides answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you work for a Fortune 500 company, a small mom-and-pop shop, or act as a "solo-preneur," you need to market your business online. With so many digital channels, where do you get the most bang for your digital marketing buck? We talk to Jeremy Wood of Hootsuite about using social media to connect with your audience. And Mike Huber of Vertical Measures tells us about using social media to build an "owned" audience. Is there some magical formula that works? Listen to this conversation and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine ridding yourself of all but the most essential items to travel and live around the world, while still running a business. Digital devices make such a lifestyle possible. Listen as one American couple talks about the exhilaration of leaving most of their possessions behind to live and work as "Digital Nomads." But, as you'll hear, it's not all fun and games. It takes a lot of work to make it work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online dating expert and ghostwriter Meredith Golden, the founder of SpoonMeetSpoon.com, offers tips to choose the best dating apps that fit your lifestyle. We put our own Mike James in the hot seat, and Meredith helps him improve his online dating profile (Spoiler alert: He’s doing it all wrong). Find out the do’s and don’ts of creating a great dating profile. If you or someone you know is looking for love, you do not want to miss this conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yep, those sci-fi movies and shows like "Blade Runner" and "Westworld" about robots imbued with enough A.I. to make them seem human are developing at a rapid pace. Kim talks to Ryan Steelberg, president of Veritone, a leading provider of artificial intelligence technology and solutions, about how robots are becoming less fantastical. Ryan describes how one man in Great Britain has his "companion" robot sit with this family at mealtimes. You don’t want to miss this conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As many as 26 million people may have taken an at-home DNA test. If you're thinking of taking one, you have to prepare yourself for the results. You may discover things about your family tree that you didn't want to know. On the other hand, the results could yield a pleasant surprise. But how accurate are the results? Listen as Kim explores the world of at-home DNA testing with Lindsay Groves, senior product specialist at 23AndMe, and Robert Bennett, a forensic toxicologist and DNA scientist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tax season is scary, especially this year with the new codes. Meet accountant Howell Cheek with Sigrist, Cheek, Potter & Huyser who can talk about the philosophy of taxes dating as far back as Plato (but don’t worry, he doesn’t). Kim talks with Howell, who offers easy-to-understand, concise tips about medical and charitable deductions, as well as the increase in the standardized deduction. He also talks about which business-tech deductions have been eliminated and why. Howell breaks it all down for us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s quickly changing world, war is no longer defined by bullets, bombs, and bloodshed. There isn’t even an enemy you can always identify. It’s called Cyberwar. The United States is under attack right now. No one knows exactly where some of the attacks are coming from. Listen for proof of these attacks and how they could lead to a much bigger war in the near future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consider this: A robot might be flying your next flight home. Will you want to be on that flight? We talk to Jeremy Straub, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at North Dakota University, who talks about his findings and what we should expect in the future. Kim also talks to Stephen Lapoint, former instructor and pilot with the United States Air Force and veteran pilot of American Airlines for almost 20 years to get his perspective on robots replacing human pilots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a disturbing movement on YouTube that targets young children. Renowned psychologist Dr. Christine Davidson joins Kim Komando to talk about Elsagate. Listen to this fascinating conversation and learn how to protect children from adult content that's disguised as safe for kids. Dr. Davidson is founder of Davidson Learning Center and DrDavidson.com. She specializes in education for autistic children, a population that is especially vulnerable to disturbing online video content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've decided to upgrade your home to a smart home but, where do you start? Should you use an Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home Pod to connect your devices? Kim and her cohost Andrew Babinski talk about the latest trends in smart home tech, and Andrew shares the trial and error he went through when he started "smartifying" his home. They also talk about some pretty weird smart tech like smart diapers, smart toothbrushes, coffee makers, and… Jim Beam? Kim and Andrew break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s real? What’s fake? Facebook’s AI algorithms can’t answer these questions, so it hired outside firms to do it. These human “content moderators” decide what’s fake, real, satire, inappropriate and illegal. It’s not working. Hear from Brooke Binkwoski, former Facebook fact-checker, about the real story, and learn how Facebook’s content moderators watch the seedy side of life all day, so you don’t have to. BONUS: Listen for the secret password in this episode for a chance to win an En Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could smell any odor during a movie you’re watching? Technology has focused on our sense of sight and sound. But what if you can sense, transmit, and receive smell through the internet? Technology like Smell-O-Vision is making a comeback in applications ranging from virtual reality to movie watching. Listen to what the future of your digital life holds for your nose. Will you love it or hate it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cars have become part of the "internet of things." They are connected to our devices, the internet as well as big tech companies. Car makers are taking advantage of this new technology to know as much about us as they can. Our cars will be able to track our behaviors, allow advertisers to send us targeted ads, and track our driving habits. What will your new car know about you? And more importantly, what does that mean to your privacy? Kim gives us an inside look at our future behind the wheel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year we wait in anticipation to hear what new Apple products are coming. We talk to expert Rob Walch with Libsyn about the latest Apple rumor mill. Expect to see new AirPods with rumored health benefits, not to mention that men over 45 will particularly love them, and you won't believe why! You’ll hear about the new MacBook Pro, the 6K display, a service they are calling the "Netflix of News" and other new gadgets from Apple. Plus - we give advice on how to become a successful podcaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the scariest things that can happen to a person. Thankfully, radiation treatments have come a long way. We talk with Dr. Cullen Taniguchi, radiation oncologist with MD Anderson Cancer Center, about the latest advancements in treating cancer with radiation, side effects and success rates. We uncover the unbelievable connection between the body temperature and the ability to heal. Listen to success stories of cancer patients who fought against the odds and recovered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The "things" in the internet of things are getting smarter: We have smartphones, smart light bulbs, smart appliances, smartwatches -- all connected through the internet. That’s cool and convenient, right? There's one big problem: They're designed to be connected, but not to be secure. We talk to Steven Teppler, a renowned privacy and cybersecurity attorney from Mandelbaum Salsburg, about how connected devices put people at risk for not only stolen data, but data we unwittingly share with big tech companie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After retirement, Hal and Jackie decided to downsize, live in an RV and travel the country. What started out as a fun idea became a new lifestyle and the adventure of a lifetime. Their love grew stronger and they are now inseparable. Listen to their story, their day to day life on the road, and what they learned along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take a peek into the Dark Web, where people can hire hitmen, buy poison and hack your computer. Criminals lurk within the dark alleyways of the internet, trying to take advantage of you and those you love. We talk to former FBI special agent Lawrence Wolfenden and take you behind the scenes of true Dark Web crimes. Learn what went into tracking a father and daughter who sold Xanax disguised as organic fitness pills. You'll find out how they were caught and uncover the truth behind the Smiley Face Killers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s in your gut? We have been hearing so much about gut bacteria. Recent innovations in DNA research have helped doctors uncover the link between gut health and many diseases, including cancer. Kim talks with Dr. Cullen Taniguchi, a radiation oncologist with MD Anderson Cancer Center about the connection between gut health and cancer. Learn about your microbiome and how you can arm it to fight disease. BONUS: Listen for the secret password in this podcast for your chance to win an Amazon Echo Dot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Streaming services have completely changed the way we watch TV. Long gone are the days when new programs launch in the fall, run for 22 weeks, wrap in the spring and go into reruns over the summer. With networks, premium cable channels and streaming services producing original content, there’s no longer a set schedule. It's hard to keep track of when your favorite shows air. Kim and her co-host Mike James have five apps to help manage your binge watching so you don’t miss a thing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Kim as she talks with Brewster Kahle, founder of the Wayback Machine and Archive.org, a free online digital library that has been archiving web pages since the mid-1990s. After earning a fortune by selling technologies to AOL and Amazon, Kahle set out on a mission to create an archive of web content. Hear about his goal to create the world's largest free online public library, and find out how you can contribute your family's history to the archive of the internet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google has become the go to search site but have you ever googled a word only to be bombarded by targeted ads and links that had nothing to do with your question? In this podcast, we will share with you alternatives to Google that will give you the desired results. Whether you’re looking for movies to stream or fabulous photos from space, and anything in between. These browsers will give you less ads, and in many cases, won’t track you like Google does! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are all familiar with online display ads. They are those ads that jump at you when you are browsing a website. What you may not know, is how these ads end up on a particular page or why you are seeing them. Kim talks to specialist Heath Shaffer, owner of boutique AdOps firm NicheREV, for an insider scoop on everything that goes into the ads that you see, from advertisers who bid for the spot to the details that go into serving the ad on the website, and most of all, how to make money as a publisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever had an app ask you to access your phone's location? How about the app that wants access to your smartphone camera and contact list. It has become second nature to share this info with the app, but did you ever stop to think: where does all this data go? Our lives are being tracked and sold to companies. In this podcast you will learn who is tracking you, how they can get to your personal information and most importantly where your data is being sent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know what the main key ingredient to success is? Habit! Get ready for some truly life-changing stories and tips from highly motivated movers and shakers. You'll learn from their habits how they stay on top of their game. We talk to VU Dream founder and podcaster Mark Metry as well as CEO and renowned attorney Joseph Harary about how they became successful and what they did to get there. By the end of this podcast, you'll be loaded with tools to guide you on your own transformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices