The Current powered by Kim Komando

When tragedy struck, Joshua Barbeau decided to cope with the death of his girlfriend by creating an AI chatbot based on her personality. In this episode, Kim sits down with him as well as developer Jason Rohrer, who created an AI program you can use to create your own personalized chatbots for just $5. It’s creepy and insanely fascinating at the same time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

The FBI busted criminals using a secret app to communicate their nefarious deeds. The biggest surprise here is how they did it. X-rated emails are one of scammers' favorite ways to get your info. Plus, the team dives into tech productivity hacks to make life easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cellphones completely changed the way we communicate. One of the most influential figures behind the tech? Marty Cooper, known as the Father of the Cellphone. In this episode, Kim and Marty take a trip down memory lane. He tells the story of his first mobile call. No, it was definitely not to his wife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices....

Windows 11 is coming, but it's not here yet. Before you go Googling for the installer, a warning about dangerous malware. Plus, a new update for iPhones and iPads goes well beyond cool new features; it fixes a serious vulnerability. In the tech tip, a simple way to change your Echo's wake word and voice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choice...

To make a successful podcast, you need solid storytelling and production skills. That's why I sat down with audio expert Valerie Geller to break down the biggest mistakes audio pioneers make. We share anecdotes from our own careers, tips that worked for us and the top four ways you can reel in listeners and boost your ratings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn mo...

Jeff Bezos went to space and back and had a, well, unusual way of thanking all of us for it. Security cameras are watching at just about every store; some are smarter than others. In the tech tip, Ben has details on how to find and clean up all your duplicate Google contacts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

Thanks to invasive software, companies can track your every move — even outside of work hours. In this episode, security researcher Cooper Quintin reveals how so-called bossware works, what it tracks and how badly things can go when organizations use it to see every single thing you're doing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

Twitter's blue checkmark verifications are back. You won't believe how the social media company screwed it up. Plus, a vital security measure finally makes its way to Ring cameras, and Allie has a quick and easy way to find your lost phone. 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....

It seems, yes, Google's smart assistant is always listening. What can you do about it? Plus, a tricky scam is back with a new name, and find out how email aliases can clean up your inbox and protect your privacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One woman asked Kim for help with a malicious stranger who stalked her daughter's every move. Over time, the abuse escalated; the creep targeted her whole family, even posting the mom's photos on risqué dating sites. Listen and learn how Kim and her friends unmasked the stalker! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

Facebook is now worth $1 trillion. Kim dives in what you could get for all that cash. Plus, Starlink's progress in bringing high-speed internet to the masses and the inside scoop on Windows 11. In the tech tip, how to see what's eating up all the space on your phone — and what to delete. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

Bitcoin, Dogecoin, mining, Ethereum, gas prices, Binance ... Cryptocurrency is going mainstream, but that doesn't mean these are easy waters to navigate. Before you dive in, listen to this podcast. Kim and team have the info you need to get started the safe way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to upgrade your phone. Issues are plaguing iPhone and Android models. Plus, a new privacy-focused search engine just launched to take on Google and DuckDuckGo. Should you use it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn from the woman who wrote the book on radio and podcasting, Valerie Geller. She has traveled the world teaching professional broadcasters how to get better at their craft. You'll get a ton of great tips in this episode, including Valerie's four secrets to creating powerful content: focus, engage, position and storytelling. She'll break each down and explain how you can create amazing content....

Cryptocurrency is going mainstream, and influencers like Kim Kardashian are cashing in. Apple just released an urgent update for older iPhones and iPads, and a new medical data breach could give cybercriminals even more fuel to come after you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ProPublica obtained IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, even nothing. Kim sits down with her tax accountant to get the scoop. Plus, they talk about how to use your own home and special tax credits to lower your taxes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

The FBI busted criminals using a super-secret app to communicate all their comings and goings. Kim has the scoop on how they did it. Scammers are sending X-rated emails to scare people into paying up, and the team dives into tech productivity hacks to make life easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the internet of things, you can open doors and turn on lights with one tap on your phone. That’s a lot of power — so what happens when a hacker takes over your home network? Kim speaks with Cequence Security hacker Jason Kent, who shares some scary stories about what can happen if you aren’t careful. You’ll also get a ton of cybersecurity tips to make sure your online security is airtight! Le...

Another massive ransomware attack hits the U.S. How will this impact your next meal? Amazon's new wireless network is coming soon, and you're part of it unless you opt out. Plus, a big change coming to eBay and what we're expecting from the upcoming UFO report from the Pentagon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

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. Vis...

What do your phone’s passcode and your Venmo account have in common? Find out. Plus, an obscure video game accessory selling for hundreds of dollars, and our tactics to fight back against porch pirates. In the tech tip, a new Google setting you need to enable if you don't want others snooping through your searches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about you...

Ready to dip your toe into the cryptocurrency world? Don't until you listen to this episode. Kim and the team walk through the basics, from how virtual currency works to whether you can make money mining Bitcoin. Find out how to dodge scams and keep your digital currency safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Which government agency is watching what we do online? The answer will surprise you. Plus, fake crypto apps scamming people out of their cash, Google's latest additions to Maps and more, and an app that started a manhunt ... for the wrong guy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon hosts websites you visit every day, sells billions in products each year, and collects more information about you than you realize. All this success all starts with a huge amount of data collection. Kim is joined by guest Jason Boyce, author of "The Amazon Jungle: The Truth About Amazon, The Seller's Survival Guide for Thriving on the World's Most Perilous E-Commerce Marketplace." Learn mor...