Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kim Komando her real name?

Says Kim: “YES! Komando really is my last name, and I carry my birth certificate to prove it! My grandparents came to America from Ukraine, and their name was shortened at Ellis Island. It dates to a late-16th-century group of marauding Cossack warriors — or something like that!”

Click here to learn more about Kim.

Where can I listen to Kim on the radio?

Kim is on more than 400 radio stations across the United States. Use the Station Finder to find out how you can listen to Kim in your area. If Kim’s show isn’t broadcast in your city, join the Komando Community to listen and watch whenever you want!

Can I send an email to Kim? Will she read it?

The answer to both questions is “yes;” however, due to the number of messages she receives, a personal reply to every message just isn’t possible. Click here to email Kim.

Does your site use cookies?

Yes. Cookies let us remember your preferences between visits, which means you can get right to reading your favorite articles; however, we don’t use tracking or third-party cookies. Read our Privacy Policy for more details.

Are web bugs used on Kim’s site?

No. Web bugs are tiny images embedded in web pages that track a user’s online activities. This site uses small, static images as design elements only. Some security programs may misidentify such images as web bugs.

What are all those Google ads? Does Kim endorse them?

No. Kim does not endorse Google’s advertisers. Kim only endorses products she trusts. We run Google ads to support the volume of tips, buying guides and news reports we generate for our readers.

Some of the ads seem misleading. Can’t they be screened?

Google screens ads appearing in its network, although some ads may run before Google’s AdWords staff has had the opportunity to screen them. Additionally, we kick advertisers off our site when we notice an ad we don’t like or when we receive a complaint from our visitors. Should you have a complaint, please report it here. Remember to include the full name of the advertiser and the URL, if possible. We will remove ads with inappropriate or misleading content. You can also complain to Google on this complaint form.

How do I choose which newsletters I receive?

Go to Komando.com/subscribe and enter the email address that receives the newsletters. All newsletters you’re currently subscribed to will be checked. Uncheck any you no longer wish to receive and leave the ones you’d like to continue receiving checked, then click “Update” to save your changes.

How do I change my newsletter email address?

You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at Komando.com/subscribe. If you’d like to stop receiving Kim’s newsletters at one email address and start receiving them at another, simply subscribe to your newsletters with your new email address and unsubscribe your old email address for the others.

What do you do with my email address?

Kim’s newsletters come with her 100% spam-free guarantee. Your email address will never be sold. Kim’s newsletters are also 100% CAN-SPAM compliant. You may opt out at any time by unchecking the newsletter(s) you no longer wish to receive at Komando.com/subscribe.

I signed up for your newsletters but have not received them.

When you sign up for Kim’s newsletters, you’re automatically sent a welcome email. Click on any of the links inside that email to manage your subscription. If you’ve already done that, check your spam or junk mailboxes to make sure they aren’t getting routed there. Be sure to review our step-by-step instructions for receiving Kim’s newsletters.

How do I view newsletters in a larger font?

At the top of the newsletter, click the “View this email in your web browser” link. An HTML version of the newsletter will open in your default web browser. In most browsers, you can press “Ctrl” (or “Cmd” on a Mac) and the plus key (“+”) to increase the font size. “Ctrl” (or “Cmd”) and the minus key (“-“) decreases the font size, and “Ctrl” and “0” (zero) returns it to normal.

How do you keep track of my referrals?

If you click on a Komando Refer-a-Friend Program link in one of Kim’s newsletters or request a Refer-a-Friend Program link here, you get a unique, dedicated link to a page that’s tied to the email address with which you subscribed. So whenever you invite a friend to join by sending them your unique link, our system is able to determine immediately who sent the invite. That’s how it can tell who to credit with the referral when the invitee signs up.

I sent someone an invite. How do I know if they subscribed?

Return to the Refer-a-Friend Program page. If you’re still logged in, or if you haven’t cleared your cookies, a popup window will appear. The window will contain the total number of referrals you’ve made, along with your unique referral link and sharing options. If you’ve logged out of Komando.com or the Refer-a-Friend Program webpage, you’ll see a link below the name and email address fields that says, “Already joined? Tap or click here to check your status.” Tap or click this link and re-enter your email address to view the confirmation popup window with your referral count and dedicated, shareable referral link. If your invitee has signed up for any of Kim’s newsletters, your total referral count will increase by one. If the number remains “0” or hasn’t increased in value, your recipient has not yet signed up.

I referred someone and they never got the email.

No problem! Since you invited them, you’ll get the referral credit no matter how or when this person signs up. Ask your recipient to visit Komando.com/subscribe and sign up, and you’ll get the Refer-a-Friend Program credit.

What if I lose my dedicated link? How do I get back to my page?

Simply return to the Refer-a-Friend Program page to confirm your status and view the informative popup window with your referral count and dedicated referral link.

Google Chrome

Disabling notifications on Chrome is easy, but it may be a little difficult to find. Here’s Google’s how-to page, and here are the steps:

1. Click the three vertical dots on the top right of the browser to open a dropdown menu.
2. Select “Settings.”
   

   

3. Scroll down to open “Advanced.”
4. Scroll to “Privacy and Security” and click “Content Settings.”
5. Under “Content Settings,” click “Notifications” to get to the management page.
6. Block/allow whatever websites you choose.

To turn them off completely, toggle the “Ask before sending” button, and enjoy sweet, uninterrupted browsing!

Firefox

Here is the Firefox how-to page, and here are the steps:

1. Click the three horizontal bars on the top right to open a dropdown menu.
2. Select “Options” with the gear next to it.
   

   

3. Go to the “Privacy and Security” page.
4. To the right of “Notifications,” click “Settings.”
5. A window will open and you’ll be able to see what websites you allow and block notifications from.

If you don’t want those annoying pop-ups to appear on websites about notifications, you can check the box at the bottom and save your changes!

Internet Explorer

To edit your notification preferences on Internet Explorer, click here for Microsoft’s how-to page, or follow these steps:

1. Click on the little gear on the top right of the browser.
2. From the dropdown menu, click “Internet Options.”
   

   

3. On the new window, from the tabs at the top, select “Privacy.”
4. Under the “Pop-up Blocker” section, click the “Settings” button.
5. This will show you the websites that are allowed or blocked from sending you notifications.

You can edit your preferences here. You can also set your preference on the level of notification allowance.

Microsoft Edge

To edit your notification preferences on Edge, click here for Microsoft’s how-to page, or follow these steps:

1. Click on the three horizontal dots at the top right of the webpage.
2. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings” at the bottom.
   

   

3. Scroll to the bottom and click “View Advanced Settings.”
4. Scroll until you find the “Notifications” section.
5. Click the button that says “Manage” under notifications.
6. Here you will be able to see what websites you allow and block notifications from.

If you want Microsoft Edge itself to stop sending notifications, you need to manage that through your computer under the application notification settings.

Safari

If you’re a Mac user, you’re more than likely using this browser. To edit your notification preferences, follow these steps:

1. Click on the menu bar on your Mac.
2. Select “Preferences.”
   

   

3. Under “Preferences,” select “Websites.”
4. In the column on the left, select “Notifications.”
5. Click on the website addresses you wish to stop receiving notifications from, and then click the “Remove” button.

iPhone

If you have our app on your iPhone and would like to disable notifications, follow these steps:

1. Click the “Settings” gear.
2. On the “Settings” page, click “System Settings.”
   

   

3. On the next page, select “Notifications.”
4. This will give you several toggle switches for changing notification settings, including disabling them altogether.

Android

If you have our app on your Android and would like to disable notifications, follow these steps:

1. Click the “Settings” menu (the three vertical dots).
2. On the “Settings” page, click “Push Notification.”
   

   

3. This will give you several toggle switches for changing notification settings, including disabling them altogether.

What happened to the Komando Shop?

We closed the Komando Shop. After 10 years of connecting you with gadgets, technology and fun stuff through an online store, we’re shifting our focus. You can still purchase Kim’s e-books for your Amazon Kindle or read them as a Komando Community Pro member.

I need help with a product I bought from the Komando Shop. What do I do?

Contact us for help with your Komando gadget by calling 1-800-KOMANDO or by sending an email to support@komando.com.

How do I watch Kim live?

We film every episode of The Kim Komando Show with 10 HD cameras and stream the live production – it’s a blast to produce and watch. Want to watch it live? Join the Komando Community!

When is the show?

The Kim Komando Show is recorded every Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pacific time. Komando Community members can watch the show as it’s recording. On Saturdays, The Kim Komando Show is broadcast on over 420 radio stations nationwide and globally on Armed Forces Radio. Visit the Station Finder page to find your local station. Komando Community members can log in and stream the show on Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Pacific time (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern time). The chat room is also open at that time.

Does Kim have a TV show?

The Kim Komando Television Program airs on the prestigious Bloomberg Television Network every Saturday at 12:00 p.m. Pacific time (2:00 p.m. Eastern). Contact your cable provider to find your Bloomberg channel. Click here to watch previous episodes.

How can I listen to the show podcast?

Komando Community members can listen to The Kim Komando Show as a podcast by visiting community.komando.com/listen. You can also listen to the show as a podcast on your Amazon Alexa-enabled device just by saying, “Alexa, play The Kim Komando Show.”

Can I watch Kim on my TV?

There are a few options for watching The Kim Komando Show on your TV:

Chromecast or Apple Airplay

The Kim Komando Show can be cast to your TV with Chromecast or Apple Airplay. You’ll want to log into your Komando Community account on a computer, tablet or phone and start to watch the show (click here to go directly to the show page). If you have casting enabled and a cast-compatible TV, an icon will appear in the bottom right of the video player. Click or tap it to select which device you want to cast it to. Both the device you are watching the video on and your TV need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

HDMI

You can stream The Kim Komando Show to your TV from your computer, laptop, tablet or phone by using an HDMI cord. You’ll want to log into your Komando Community account and start to watch the show (click here to go directly to the show page), then connect the HDMI cord to the output of your device and to the HDMI input on your TV.

How do I watch Kim’s DIYs and Watch-worthy Videos?

Komando.com offers free, informative, short videos for everyone to enjoy. You can also find fun, educational “watch-worthy” videos that Kim hand-picks every day. You can watch them all here.

When I watch a video, why does it pause or stop?

Most likely, your Internet connection is too slow. If your speed isn’t what your service provider advertises, contact your ISP and have them check it out.

I’m still having problems watching the live production. What can I do?

Make sure your computer is less than five years old, as older systems may not be able to handle the processing power that our stream requires.

If you’re on a portable device, make sure you’ve updated to the latest versions of your system’s software. Also, make sure you’re using the fastest connection available to you — usually, this will be a Wi-Fi connection.

For best results, it’s recommended you use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge. Internet Explorer is not recommended.

If you’re still having issues, contact us at video-support@komando.com.

Can I download Kim’s videos?

No – the videos are available for online streaming only. Komando Community members, however, can download the show podcasts, which are audio versions of the show.

How do I find the web links Kim mentions on air?

The links to websites Kim mentions in her show are available on the Show Picks page.

How can I share a video with my friends?

You can share any video with your friends and family with the click of a button. Just locate the sharing icons on every page. There are options to share using Facebook, Twitter, ShareThis and more. Click your preferred sharing method and enter your information.

What is a podcast?

A podcast is an audio file that you can stream or download. We release podcasts of The Kim Komando Show weekly for Komando Community members to enjoy. New podcasts of the weekly radio show are available every Saturday at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time.

Do I have to be a Komando Community member to hear the podcasts?

Podcasts of The Kim Komando Show are available only to Komando Community members. Join here!

We also offer other podcasts free for non-members to enjoy. Click here to see the full list.

Do I have to have a portable media player to hear the podcasts?

No, they are available in MP3 format. You can download them to your computer and play them with Windows Media Player, iTunes or any other program that plays MP3 files.

How do I hear your most recent podcast?

To access The Kim Komando Show podcast, you must be a Komando Community member. Once you’ve logged in, click “Listen” in the navigation menu, then find an episode. Click “Play” to listen or “Download” to save the episode as an MP3 file.

Can I hear your archived podcasts?

Kim Komando’s free podcasts are available on Apple iTunes and Google Play.

Am I able to listen through a podcast app?

To access The Kim Komando Show podcast, you must be a Komando Community member. The show’s podcast feed works in Apple Podcasts, along with any Android or iOS app that supports authenticated feeds.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Find the option in the podcast app of your choice to “add feed” or “add URL.”
• Enter the feed URL: https://community.komando.com/feed/tkks/.
• When prompted, enter your Komando Community username (or account email) and password.

Here are some walkthroughs for commonly used apps:

• iOS: Apple Podcasts
• iOS: Downcast
• Android: Podcast Addict
• Android: Podcast Republic

To listen, search for “Daily Tech Update” or “Tech You Should Know” in your podcast app’s directory, or subscribe to each here:

• Tech You Should Know
• Daily Tech Update

Whenever I listen to your podcasts, iTunes fades, or the episodes overlap and I miss some information. What can I do to fix it?

Your crossfade playback could be active. This will fade the ending of the current podcast and fade into the beginning of the next. To turn it off, click “Settings” on your podcasts page. Select the “Playback” tab. Remove the check next to “Crossfade Playback,” and click “OK” to save the changes.

I no longer want to get your podcasts. How do I stop getting them?

To stop receiving podcasts in iTunes, go to the “Podcasts” page, highlight the podcast you no longer want to receive, and click “Unsubscribe.”

To unsubscribe on Google Play Music, select “Podcasts” from the main menu, followed by “Your Podcasts.” Next, tap the icon for the podcast you no longer wish to follow. This opens a panel with several options. Tap “Unsubscribe” at the bottom.

How do I get the free Komando.com App for my phone and tablet?

The free Komando.com App is available for your phone and tablet, and it’s ideal for receiving breaking tech news, security alerts and more. To learn more, and to download, visit Komando.com/app.

Using the Komando.com App to listen to podcasts

You can listen to the free podcasts right in the app. Just tap the podcast you want to hear, then tap the gray bar that says “Listen.” Tap “Listen” again to access controls to pause or skip to the next podcast.

Komando Community members can listen to the full show podcast by tapping “The Show” at the top of the screen. This will take you to the Komando Community login screen, where you can log in to listen right on the page or download the file to your device. If you have a weak connection, downloading the podcast first will work best.

If you’re having trouble loading the podcast in the app, use your phone’s internet browser to download or listen to the podcast right from the Komando Community website.

Technical issues

Please email our developer at help@doapps.com with the details of your issue. Include your device model and the subject line, “Feedback for the Komando.com App.” For other issues or suggestions, contact the Komando support team at support@komando.com or call +1 (800) 566-2636.