“Hi, Kim, I’ve heard you talk about VPNs. Will using one make me anonymous online?” — Dennis in Texas Great question, Dennis, and one a lot of people ask. A VPN (virtual private network) is one of the best tools for privacy, but it’s not a magic invisibility cloak. There’s a lot of hype out […]
Nicole from Washington, D.C., recently wrote, “Hi, Kim, I love your shows on WTOP. I read your article about how to use AI to write a book. I want to write a children’s book. But I’m no artist!” Nicole, I love this idea. But you absolutely don’t need to be an artist to pull this […]
Barry and I play chess a few times a month, and he’s always completely floored when I win. Why? He plays everyday on Chess.com, and I only play with him. Here’s a business success I bet you didn’t see coming, I know I didn’t. Chess. Yes, the game that’s been around for about 1,500 years […]
Hackers, scammers and snoopers are getting slicker every day. Your gear should, too. I did the digging (so you don’t have to) and found the best tools to outsmart them. Let’s check them out! 🛡️ Guard your cards RFID blocking cards ($5, 50% off) stop fraud before it even starts. Slip one into your wallet, […]
It’s Saturday, which means two things: So let’s channel that procrastination energy into productivity. I’m talking about the satisfying kind where you fix stuff in under a minute and feel wildly accomplished. Here are tech issues you can squash today. No tools, tech support or curse words required. 1. Fix your smart TV Screen flickering? […]
You’ve probably seen it: a text that says something like, “You have an overdue toll balance. Click here to avoid late fees.” It looks official, urgent and believable enough to make you think maybe it’s legit. That text is part of a very sophisticated scam run by Chinese criminal gangs, and they’ve already made over […]
Let me guess, you’ve got a few mystery boxes in the garage, a closet that could double as a thrift store, and a drawer of random chargers for devices you haven’t seen since the Obama administration. We all hold onto stuff we might use again but never do. That clutter? It could be worth real […]
Let me tell you something that’ll make you look at your “loyalty perks” apps and programs a lot differently. You think you’re getting a deal along with points, rewards, a freebie here and there. But what you’re really signing up for is a machine that’s collecting, analyzing and monetizing you. I studied a new report […]
If Zoom wouldn’t connect, YouTube froze or your smart home went dumb yesterday morning, it wasn’t just you. Over 11 million people reported issues with more than 2,500 big name apps and services. The reason? A huge outage at Amazon Web Services, better known as AWS. Let me explain what all this means in plain […]
I know that many of you are afraid that AI is going to take your job. And you might be right. The 2025 Global State of AI at Work report just confirmed what we’re all sensing. AI isn’t the future. It is now. But before you panic, let me offer a new way to look […]
I remember my parents saying, “Kim, stop wasting the film.” Oh, yes, this was back when we’d put film in a camera, take up to 36 pictures, then wait for the roll to get developed to see if any of the shots were good. Those days are long gone, fortunately. Now, the average American takes […]
From your front entrance to your hotel room, I narrowed it down to the standouts. ✅ My pick: Yale’s Assure lock (20% off) unlocks when your hands are full and automatically latches up for you. Fingerprint scanner? Works in just half a second. Plus, manage two-factor authentication and biometrics right from the app. No need […]
First, look at the handy AI photo. If only, I’d be so good at multitasking. (lol) “Hey, Kim, I just was notified that my personal data was part of the recent SimonMed data breach. My data’s already out there from another breach. Does it even matter anymore?” — Sara in Newport Beach, CA Hearing about […]
The weekend is here, and it’s hard to believe that geocaching recently turned 25 years old. It’s still going strong with over 3.4 million caches hidden around the world. I used to do geocaching with my son Ian. It’s a lot of fun. Whether you’re looking for a new way to get your steps in, […]
Recently here in The Current, I mentioned a YouTuber who ended up in the ER because of a smart ring. A bunch of you left me comments asking the same thing: “How does that even happen?” Let me explain, because this wasn’t the guy’s fault. It was a complete tech failure. 💍 Ring of fire […]
I hate passwords. They are a total pain in the butt. Now don’t kill the messenger… Hackers have amped up their game and are using powerful AI software that can rip through millions of password combinations in seconds. Brace yourself, your password really needs to be at least 20 characters, and there should be a […]
Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, powering your phone, laptop, iPad, toothbrush, e-bike, EV and power bank. We love them because they’re compact, rechargeable and efficient. But when things go wrong? They go really wrong. Fires caused by lithium batteries are becoming more common and more dangerous. A small phone battery can ignite a couch. Now imagine […]
Imagine boarding a plane, looking toward the cockpit … and no one’s there. No captain, no copilot. Just empty seats and a glowing dashboard. Sounds like sci-fi, right? Nope, it’s real, and it’s already flying. A company called Reliable Robotics (paywall link) just pulled it off with a Cessna 208B Caravan. This is a rugged, […]
Kim K. in Calabasas, CA, asked if California’s new browser privacy law means she no longer needs Incogni, a sponsor of my national radio show. Great question. First, yes, I did check to see if that “K” stood for Kardashian. No response … yet. 😏 👨🏻⚖️ California’s new AB 566 law It forces browsers to […]
Since Halloween’s in the air, let’s talk about something spooky: vampire electronics. These everyday gadgets quietly suck electricity (and money) when you’re not using them. They’re called “phantom loads” or “standby power,” and they’re everywhere from your cable box to your soundbar to your printer. Even when they’re “off,” they’re drawing power. The Department of […]
