Kim Komando Daily Tech Update

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 — ...

Watch out for this nasty Roku scam

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve cut cable and satellite out of movie night, you've probably considered buying a Roku device. It has a ton of offerings, including Netflix,...

Good news: Robocalls ending!

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most people I know don’t bother to pick up the phone anymore unless the calling number is someone they actually know. Most of the time, unknown numb...

Apple vs Facebook: The digital battlefield

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re an iPhone owner, Apple’s new update – iOS 14.5 – gives you a choice: Will you let Facebook watch everything you do online? Learn mo...

Gmail is lying to you

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who hasn’t sent an email that you’ve later regretted? Google now claims that it has self-destructing emails. Send a message, after a set time, the...

Windows users: Watch out for this new threat

25 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Windows users know that Microsoft is always releasing new updates. But Windows is still extremely vulnerable to all kinds of dangerous malware. Now, t...

5 uses for an older iPad

24 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The new generation of iPads comes with improved screens, speed and memory. But that doesn’t mean an old iPad is worthless. In fact, there are a lot ...

Paying with the palm of your hand

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You've heard of opening your phone with your fingerprint or scanning your face to get on a plane. But what if you could pay for your groceries with yo...

Shocking truth over who collects social media posts

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Remember the January riots at the U.S. Capitol? Many rioters proudly posted photos of themselves invading the Capitol. Many are now in jail, awaiting...

7 new Apple products you're going to want

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Apple announced seven new products yesterday: A purple iPhone, an Apple credit card made for teens and families, and a podcast subscription service. B...

One Apple announcement coming today

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today Apple unveils some exciting new products, and one new term you’ll probably hear is LPTO. What does that mean? We've got the full scoop. Learn...

The Bitcoin bubble is about to burst

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cryptocurrency values are skyrocketing right now. One Bitcoin was selling for $62,300 at the close of business this past Friday. Plus, the value of th...

3 tips to protect your privacy

18 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Thanks to the internet, no one has real privacy anymore. Here are three things you can do today to give yourself and your family a bit more privacy. ...

Avoid this email mistake - it helps hackers

17 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most people save many emails from a variety of people. We even take the time to keep it all organized and use folders. Here's why hackers love that —...

Don't buy an Apple Mac or iPad this weekend

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This Tuesday, Apple is unveiling new products. The company's tight-lipped about what we can expect, but we know this event will be big. Here are some ...

Save a life: Talk about TikTok with your kids

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

TikTok challenges have been around since the site was created in 2016. These viral stunts are shared and copied by millions of people to gain social m...

Can you kill the internet? This Texan tried

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this week, the FBI arrested a Texan man for trying to "blow up the internet." But is that even possible? Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

Online classes are here to stay

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Watching the evening news on any given day, you would think that every parent in America is demanding that schools reopen. In reality, many parents an...

Watch out for fake COVID cards!

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we begin returning to offices, restaurants, and retail outlets, here's a word of caution. No business should ever accept a COVID-19 vaccine card as...

Do this to cut down on duplicate images

11 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Why take one great photo of something with your phone when you can easily take five? There’s no problem until you either run out of storage space on...

How to slay your vampire power problem

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Right now, picture dollar bills flying out the windows of your home. That’s what’s happening thanks to what’s called vampire power. Fortunately,...

Why the Kardashians can't kill Khloe's bikini pic

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The internet is going crazy over a picture of Khloe Kardashian in a bikini — but for the reasons you might not think. It's a realistic photo, but th...

Do you suffer from cybercondria?

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you're feeling aches or pains, you probably turn straight to Dr. Google for a diagnosis. After this episode, though, you might change your tune. ...

Invasion of the Zoom Zombies

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If COVID isn’t enough, there’s a new pandemic to worry about. And even though it may sound like a low-quality Hollywood movie, it’s real. It’s...

This retro tech is worth big bucks

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re spring cleaning, be on the lookout for retro tech. Don’t toss out gadgets from the '80s or '90s. Some of these things are worth thousand...

The one shortage no one is talking about

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve been through gasoline shortages, toilet paper shortages, Clorox wipe shortages. Right now, we’re in the middle of a lumber shortage. And wha...

How to remove your home from Google Street View

04 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve never taken a peek at your home using Google Earth, you’ll be surprised how much of your life is visible to the world. And Google Earth’...

True or False: The more megapixels, the better

03 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Smartphones are now all about the camera. Before you buy a new one, take this true or false test: The more megapixels, the better the picture. True or...

3 things you should never Google

02 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody goes to Google when they have burning questions. But you shouldn't use it for these specific queries. Here are three things that you should ...

This battery lasts 28,000 years

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine a battery that never needs recharging. Actually, you don't have to imagine it, since that technology has already arrived! Here's how it works....

Vaccination cards: The new Dark Web danger

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Not too long from now, you’ll need proof that you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel. You might even need proof to get a job! Here's th...

Sleep deprived and constantly online

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Get this: Even though much of America is working from home, we’re sleep deprived and 30 percent say they’re online “constantly.” Learn more a...

Watch out for this vaccine scam

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As of today, about 28% of the U.S. population has been vaccinated. Many states are opening vaccination appointments to everyone 16 and over. Now, scam...

Pop quiz: How many times a day do you check your phone?

28 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How many times a day do you check your smartphone? Not just for calls, but social media, email, and texts too? You won't believe how many times the av...

Crucial thing to do before you get rid of an old printer

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Every tech device in your home contains at least some personal information about you. That's why you should wipe smartphones, tablets and computers cl...

Zuckerberg is in denial

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At yesterday’s Congressional hearing with the CEOs of Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet, lawmakers in both parties made it clear social media has too m...

Instagram is coming for your kids

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook, the owner of Instagram, is ready to roll out its new social media website, Instagram Kids. At first glance, it sounds promising. Take a deep...

He's 9 years old and sells $250 million a year in merch

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nine-year-old Ryan Kaji is one of YouTube's most popular stars. At first, he unboxed toys. Later, he covered video games, sports, and other projects. ...

Why incognito mode isn't really incognito

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Google’s promise was clear: Open the Chrome browser and activate incognito mode. If you follow these steps, you won't be tracked online. There’s j...

Facebook's PR machine is at it again

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the big bipartisan war on Big Tech heats up, Facebook’s PR machine has cranked out yet another diversion. The problem? We've heard this one befor...