Kim Komando Daily Tech Update
Episodes
Digital Life Hack: Watch out for incoming calls
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a true story of a real crime and a real victim. An Arizona woman received a call on her smartphone from someone claiming to be a Verizon empl...
The Right to Repair is heating up
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever bought a product that failed shortly after your purchase, and then, even though it had a warranty, you still couldn’t get it repaired?...
Digital Life Hack: How to block your phone number
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We like to hold our cell phone numbers sacred, but that's not always possible unless you know the secret ways to block your number when calling. Lear...
The mystery of the July 4th ransomware attack
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Another major ransomware attack took out thousands of companies ... except this one ended quietly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
The most popular emojis revealed
25 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Adobe’s annual Global Emoji Trend Report claims emojis can spark positive conversations about cultural and societal issues. That's probably why we'r...
Is it safe to drop your landline yet?
24 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Has the time finally come for you to drop your old telephone landline, save a few bucks and depend only on your mobile phone? Learn more about your a...
Digital Life Hack: How to get rid of an old hard drive
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Before you get rid of old technology, whether giving it to another family member, selling it, or even throwing it into the recycle bin, you've got to ...
Should social media be held accountable for publishing lies?
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Should social media be held accountable for publishing false, defamatory and even libelous material — just like newspapers, radio and television? L...
Digital Life Hack: How to find someone's email address
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's pretty easy to track down someone's email address if you know the tricks of the trade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...
Don't believe the news that Netflix is tanking
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Streaming services are having the same problem that plagued cable. Customers are asking, "Do we really need all of these services?" Here's the full st...
Digital Life Hack: How to stop your emails from going to spam
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You probably start the day clearing out emails that somehow made it through your spam filter. But what if it was you on the other side of that email? ...
Google listens to your private conversations
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For years, Google has stood firm: No one listens to your private conversations. Of course, no one ever believed Google because – for lack of a bette...
Digital Life Hack: How to take amazing pictures and videos from your phone
20 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The cameras on our smartphones have reached a point that rivals professional equipment. In this episode, I'll show you how to take commercial-quality ...
Facebook's $1.6B efforts to "save journalism"
20 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a headline I can't help but raise an eyebrow at. Facebook is pouring a ton of dough into saving journalism — but I can't help but wonder if t...
Digital Life Hack: Find out if your phone is waterproof
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It happens every summer. Someone either drops their phone into the swimming pool or an ocean wave slaps their phone out of their hands. That brings up...
The White House is flagging social media posts
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The admission from the White House that it’s "flagging" social media posts that it considers misinformation was downright frightening – regardless...
Watch out for these shady online car scams
18 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There’s always at least some stress when buying a new car. But buying online has additional traps to scam you out of your money. Learn more about y...
How to spot fake travel websites
17 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Summer's in full swing, and millions are squeezing in as much vacation time as possible. While you're scheduling some time off, scammers are working o...
Digital Life Hack: Upgrade your TV settings
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hidden deep in your TV’s settings menu, you have something called motion smoothing. This feature artificially adds frames to whatever you’re watch...
When innocent emojis become dangerous
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you ran Twitter, or any other social media platform, what would you do when users begin using emojis as racist insults? Learn more about your ad c...
Digital Life Hack: Get a Zestimate on your home
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it’s for sale or not, your home is already listed on Zillow.com. If you don't check it out right now, you could hurt your home's resale valu...
Just when I'm ready to buy an electric car, this happens
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I know they’re the future, but every single time I feel ready to buy an electric car, the industry itself scares me away. Learn more about your ad ...
Digital Life Hack: Turn off Google location history for good
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're exposing one of Google's biggest lies. The company claims it's not tracking 2 billion people. That's a far cry from the truth. Learn mor...
Your cell phone causes cancer
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since their arrival almost 50 years ago, the FDA and the FCC said there’s no link to cancer and cell phones. But now, new research from The Universi...
Digital Life Hack: The world's worst selfie disaster
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve probably never heard of Jaipur, India. It’s more than 8,000 miles away. But it’s important today because this small town, just southwest ...
People turn to hookup apps without benefits
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Some dating apps are notorious for being used solely for hookups. (Think Tinder, Bumble and Hinge.) But get this. Many young people, from Gen Z to mil...
Biden vs. Big Tech: What you need to know
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On Friday, President Biden announced a 72-point plan to rein in the power of Big Tech. Here's what his plan is missing. Learn more about your ad choi...
One question tech support will always ask
11 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When your computer malfunctions – Windows or MAC – what’s the first question to ask? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...
Google searches that are scams
10 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Do you think you're too tech-savvy to fall for an online scam? Think again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn mo...
Trump's social media lawsuit
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When you try to understand Trump's lawsuit against social media and Big Tech, you're bombarded with opinion pieces. I'll cut through the politics and ...
Here's what I think of iOS 15 so far
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know 58% of all American smartphones are iPhones? That includes mine. I've been testing iPhone's newest operating system. Here's what I like (...
Hit by ransomware? Don't count on help
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The recent ransomware attack over the holiday weekend was the single biggest in history. Behind the attack is the same Russia-linked gang that hit JBS...
Tesla catches fire with driver inside
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a nightmare scenario: You’re trapped in a small space and can’t get out. Now imagine that small space is on fire and you have a real-life...
Can the Supreme Court help control social media?
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since 1964, when the media publishes or broadcasts false information about "public figures," they can’t be sued for libel unless it can be proven th...
How Zillow could hurt your home's resale value
04 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We haven't reached the top of America's explosive residential real estate market. Home values and sales have skyrocketed, but even if your home's not ...
Who's America's biggest cyber attacker?
03 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to cyber attacks on the United States, who is America's biggest enemy? You might be surprised. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
You're probably a ransomware victim
02 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Do you think you haven't been a direct victim of ransomware? I have bad news: you have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...
Getting hot? Power companies may be adjusting your AC
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Reports are coming in from all over the country about this: You suddenly notice that your home’s temperature is too hot. Has the power company comma...
Is this the end for robocalls?
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
All telephone providers – AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Comcast, Cox and all the others – have until the end of today to implement new technology that ...
What Windows 11 means for the world
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Six years ago, Microsoft announced that the current version, Windows 10, would be the last. Today, even Microsoft executives are surprised that Window...
Watch out for child tax credit stimulus scammers
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
More stimulus money is coming in July and scammers are already working to rip you off. This time, they promise to help you extract the money from the ...
Try this quick tip to stop robocalls
27 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Robocalls are always annoying. But when they arrive on your smartphone, they're even more irritating because they’re using your plan’s precious mi...
Change your Wi-Fi password or face jail time
26 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s something to think about. If you don’t lock down your home’s Wi-Fi network, you could be charged with a crime you didn’t commit. Learn...
Marco Rubio wants to stop Big Tech censorship
25 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Senator Marco Rubio is proposing a bill that could rein in the power of Big Tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Lear...
Scammed on a payment app? Tough luck
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you fall victim to a scammer who is using a payment app, you’re out of luck. There are no rules or laws to protect you and get your money back on...
Will Instagram become the new MySpace?
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The most optimistic thing you can say about Instagram these days is that it’s in a slump. But to many, Instagram is now boring. It has too many infl...
Samsung apps could be spying on you
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you have a Samsung smartphone, you should know about the phone's pre-installed apps that are spying on you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
Use a Nest thermostat? The temperature is rising
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Texas and a few other states want customers to enroll their Nest and other smart thermostats in a program to help reduce power consumption. Texas was ...
Windows 10 has built-in ransomware protection
20 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Most Windows 10 users don't know there's a way to protect their computer's files against ransomware. It's not a 100% guarantee, but it can work wonder...
Soon, you can carry your ID digitally
19 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You always need to carry some form of ID while traveling. Luckily, you can easily set up a digital backup. Here's what to do. Learn more about your a...
Mark Cuban should have known better
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Weeks ago, I told you that the Bank of England's chief said anyone who invests in cryptocurrency should be prepared to lose it all. Now, I have a star...
8 hours is a long time for AirTags
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the commercials, people happily discover lost keys or purses thanks to their Apple AirTag. But these little devices have quickly been put to a dark...
Why you can't trust Amazon reviews
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon Prime Day is now less than a week away. When shopping on Amazon, most of us check out the reviews to find out how good a product is. Unfortunat...
The U.S. Digital Dollar is coming
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The White House will require all cryptocurrency transfers of $10,000 or more to be reported for tax purposes. Here's the full story. Learn more about...
Congress vs. Big Tech: who will win?
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In May, I asked my listeners and readers to share their thoughts on powerful tech companies. Of over 6,000 respondents, 86% said they're fed up with B...
3 reasons to say no to cookies
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When you visit a new website, there's a good chance you’ll be asked to accept the website’s cookies. Most people say yes ... but interestingly eno...
iPhone users: Doctors have a health warning
12 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you know it or not, your iPhone has magnets inside. But the iPhone 12 has one that's so powerful that it could affect your heart. You could be...
Don't trust anti-ransomware emails
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you get an email promising to protect your company from a ransomware attack like the one that brought down the Colonial Pipeline, don't open it! It...
Congress was hacked and that's good news
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone's vulnerable to the dangers of ransomware. On Wednesday, we learned that 60 bipartisan members of Congress were locked out of constituent dat...
Could ransomware paralyze America?
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many of my tech updates have focused on the exploding epidemic of ransomware attacks. And now the White House is saying exactly what I’ve been sayin...
How the FBI's fighting ransomware
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes government operations are kept secret so that our adversaries don’t know our full capabilities. But yesterday, the FBI and the Department ...
Facebook's bogus prayer algorithm
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Think you’ve seen it all with Facebook’s never-ending attempts to market your personal information? Here's a brand new doozy you've got to hear ab...
Clever new ways to use Apple AirTags
06 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In April, Apple rolled out a new product: the AirTag. It's a neat little tracker that helps you keep track of your gadgets. But AirTags can do a whole...
Can you trust the new Citizen app?
05 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Citizen is a new app that acts as a public safety network. Basically, it alerts you about crimes. It sounds promising — but let's see if it lives up...
3 things you can do now to stop ransomware attacks
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Russian hackers have been having a field day. Not only were they responsible for the Colonial Pipeline attack, but they've also just come after the me...
Don't let Sidewalk side swipe you
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you own an Amazon Echo or a Ring security camera, you’re about to share your internet connection with your neighbors ... unless you say no. Lear...
Are Macs immune to viruses?
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the Memorial Day weekend, a friend said, "I use a Mac because I know that I won't be hit with viruses and spyware." Here's what I have to say on ...
How fed up is America with Big Tech?
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How fed up is America with Big Tech? I wanted to find out. Over 6,300 people answered my survey. Here's what they had to say. Learn more about your a...
How to get copies of military records, medals and awards
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Recognitions from the U.S. military liike medals and awards are priceless family heirlooms that can be passed down through generations. Like anything ...
Vishing: The new scam to watch out for
30 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ever heard of vishing? Short for voice phishing, it's a scary new scam in which criminals impersonate a company. They especially love posing as Amazon...
Protect your router with this simple step now
29 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The police arrested a couple in the U.K. for distributing images of child porn online. The mom lost her teaching job, the father couldn’t work and t...
Orwell's "1984" is now
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Microsoft president Brad Smith told a BBC interviewer that with artificial intelligence, the predictions in Orwell’s "1984" will be possible in thre...
Sign this petition to stop Instagram for Kids
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
No one can logically defend Facebook’s overall impact on humanity. Overwhelmingly negative is an understatement. It’s no wonder that Facebook is b...
Big Tech and Florida: What is the ultimate fix?
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook and others have had a field day closing the accounts of anyone who doesn’t share their political philosophy. But one law allows Floridians ...
How Ford's electric F-150 will impact Mother Earth
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re wondering whether electric vehicles cause fewer greenhouse gasses, the answer is a resounding "Probably." If you live in an area where mos...
Watch out for the Dark Patterns hiding in your tech
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all seen this. Products are added to your cart automatically. Boxes are pre-checked when you’re setting new tech up. Apps and websites trick...
3 COVID scams that are trending now
23 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You’d think that with the pandemic ending, scammers would move on. Nope. Here are three clever COVID scams spreading online. Learn more about your ...
Now's the time to buy electronics
22 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s common knowledge that there’s always the best time and the worst time of the year to buy televisions, laptops or any other electronic device....
Ransomware is about to get worse
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline wasn't bad enough, the owners just made matters worse. Their actions could have rippling effects tha...
If you're brave, it's the best time to buy crypto
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In April, Bitcoin was riding an incredible wave, valued at more than $66,000 each. But over five weeks, Bitcoin has lost over half its value. Here's y...
2 questions to ask yourself — and your IT team — today
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ransomware doesn't make the news unless it’s a national threat like the Colonial Pipeline attack. But regardless of how big an attack is, there’s ...
Want to delete your troublesome tweets? Pay up
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When a public figure gets in trouble for an ill-advised tweet, the first thing they do is delete the post ... but as we all know, that doesn't fix the...
Massive wireless networks ... that we're paying for
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon and Apple are each working towards one goal: A large-scale wireless network that doesn’t need Wi-Fi or cellular. We will spend money on thei...
Surprise! Dr. Google is often right
16 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Paging Dr. Google! Do you suffer from cyberchondria? It’s the ailment best described as when you have any aches or pains, you immediately turn to Go...
$50 off your internet bill - Do you qualify?
15 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As a part of the $2 trillion COVID aid plan, Congress has allocated $3.2 billion in tax money to pay the monthly internet bills of Americans who lost ...
The one surefire way to avoid ransomware attacks
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Colonial Pipeline is getting back up and working because they paid the hackers $5 million for a decrypting tool. But the entire fiasco could have ...
What would happen if hackers attacked the nation's power grid?
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Should ransomware hackers disrupt the power grid just as they’ve disrupted the East Coast gasoline pipeline, what would happen? Let's put it this wa...
Is the gas pipeline hack just the beginning?
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Until last weekend, you probably never heard of the 5,500-mile Colonial Pipeline. It's the jugular vein of fuel flow on the East Coast — but Russia...
How the global chip shortage will hurt your wallet
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you haven’t noticed, there’s a global chip shortage that’s hurting airplane and auto manufacturing. It also impacts tons of electronics. Here...
The Bank of England vs. Cryptocurrency
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we start the week with a stern warning for anyone who invests in cryptocurrencies — straight from Bank of England. Learn more about your ad c...
How to test your internet speeds
09 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If your internet connection seems slow, don’t write it off as just your imagination. Instead, follow my advice, track down the problem and, most imp...
What to know about the iPhone 14.5 update
08 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you use an iPhone, it’s important that you update the phone’s operating system to iOS 14.5 as soon as possible. Here’s why. Learn more about...
Facebook's fake oversight: an insult to us all
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook's Oversight Board exists to keep the social media giant in check. Each member gets a hefty six-figure salary ... but the money flows from a f...
Biden's act for all internet is not good
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For most of us, getting fast and reliable internet service is easy. The problem is remote, rural areas. That's why President Biden promised broadband ...
How dead celebrities tweet from the Great Beyond
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know Marilyn Monroe has an active Twitter account? Even Elvis has one — and he's got more than a million followers! But most surprising is t...
Who's really making the money mining Bitcoin?
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As cyber currency's value continues to climb, is it possible to strike it rich by mining it? Here are all the details. Learn more about your ad choic...
Big Tech made big money this year
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
First-quarter numbers for 2021 are out for the titans of Big Tech! Prepare to be shocked by how much Amazon, Google and Facebook make every single min...
How to tell if your smart TV is spying on you
02 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve bought a new television in the past year, it’s probably a smart TV. That means it listens for your commands to turn on, turn off and swi...
4 ways to beef up your passwords
01 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You can't make yourself immune to hacking attempts, but a little extra work goes a long way. Here are a few tips to strengthen your account security. ...
Uncle Sam wants to know about your Bitcoin
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bitcoin is going mainstream. You can buy a Tesla with it or use it to pay for goods on PayPal. And guess who else is noticing? Good old Uncle Sam — ...