December 10, 2022

Tech advice you can trust™

Don't miss the three jam-packed hours of my show — catching it is as easy as ...

Listen every weekend on your local radio station.

Find your station

Watch it live or tune in on your schedule.

Be the first to see it

Listen to the podcast anytime, anywhere.

Listen or download

Visit GetKim.com now to try the
Komando Community FREE for 30 days. →

This week on my show

8 Google Maps tips to ease your holiday travels

Google Maps is about more than getting from point A to B in your car. It can help you find a table at a restaurant, check how busy a landmark is, charge your electric vehicle and more. Here are eight ways Google Maps can take some of the stress out of your holiday travels.

Tap or click here for helpful Google Maps tips. →

Here are the 5 worst and 5 best tech gifts when it comes to privacy

It's the season to give gifts to those you love and care about, and tech is always a solid choice. But be careful! Some of the most popular products carry significant privacy risks you may not be aware of. We've gathered the top five best and worst tech gifts according to privacy.

Tap or click here for the best and worst gifts for privacy. →

Help us help you

What are you interested in? Let us know so we can help deliver the tips, tricks and articles you care about. Follow the button below to update your preferences. It takes less than a minute!

UPDATE YOUR PREFERENCES →

🎧 AUDIO BRIEFING

Gift card scams, stop porch pirates, top tech stories of 2022

Do you tend to forget important things when you're busy? Try this quick trick. Plus, use these simple tips to protect your packages from porch pirates during the holiday season, top tech stories of the year and holiday gift card scams to watch out for.

Subscribe wherever you listen:

Video from the show

Why the Ringling Brothers operated a secret spy agency

When you think of the Ringling Brothers, you probably think of trapeze artists, fire breathers and tigers jumping through hoops. Spies probably don't come to mind. But in fact, there was a time when the company synonymous with the circus ran its own spy agency. The reason they did it is truly shocking.

WATCH NOW →

Kim answers your questions

Got a question for Kim? Email her here.

Home security and data use

I am thinking about getting SimpliSafe for my home but do not have unlimited internet. If I get this system, along with a few cameras, how much data will I be using up on a monthly basis before my general use? And will it slow down my computer or smart television?

SimpliSafe cameras record only when triggered. Different events have different recording times, and the data used also depends on video quality. Here's an example. Say you had a break-in that lasted 5 minutes. With the default quality (720p), that recording would typically be about 30 MB.

You'd need to have several full alarms every single day for a month to reach a gigabyte of data. Allow about 10 MB a day per camera. All the other components run on cellular that's included with the monthly monitoring bill.

Get 40% off your order when you visit SimpliSafeKim.com today. Customize the perfect system for your home in just a few minutes.

Drowning in spreadsheets

Is there ANYTHING I can use besides QuickBooks for my financials? The more I use QB, the more disgusted I become! HELP!

Sounds like you're drowning in spreadsheets. Don’t let QuickBooks slow you down, and stop paying for multiple systems that don’t give you the information you need when you need it. It’s time to upgrade to NetSuite by Oracle, the world’s No. 1 cloud business system.

NetSuite gives you visibility and control over your financials, HR, inventory, e-commerce and more — all in one place — instantaneously.

Want to check it out? Let NetSuite show you how they’ll benefit your business with a free product tour at NetSuite.com/Kim.

How can I choose new tech?

Well, it finally happened. My old PC just can't handle my new work-from-home life. I run a small business, and I know a few of my employees are in the same boat. Where should I start picking new desktops?

If you're not a total tech geek, figuring out what to spend your money on is seriously stressful. I could tell you a few models to check out (we use Dell Optiplex and Precision at Komando HQ), but really, you need help finding the right models for you and your business.

Dell Technologies Advisors can guide you. They have financing options, too, and can help you get everything set up correctly.

Call 877-ASK-DELL or visit Dell.com to find technology that can help your small business.

Drive an older car? This could save you thousands

Computer systems in cars are the new normal. When something breaks, it could cost a fortune. And now is not the time for expensive repairs. That’s where CarShield comes in. You could save thousands on covered repairs. CarShield offers customizable and flexible payment plans with no long-term contracts — plus, you can choose your favorite mechanic or dealership to do the work. They also offer complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance and a rental car while yours is being fixed.

CarShield has helped over 1 million customers! Drive with confidence with America’s No. 1 auto protection company. Protect yourself from surprises and save thousands for a covered repair!

Call 800-CAR-6000 and mention the promo code “KIM” or visit CarShield.com and use the code “KIM” to save 10%. →

Kim's weekly column & tech tip

Automakers like BMW, GM, and Mercedes charge monthly fees for faster speeds, heated seats and more

Today's cars are computers on wheels. And like a computer, there are paid upgrades to add more features and services. One automaker charges a monthly fee that lets you use a key fob to lock and unlock your car. In this column, I shine a light on what the big automakers are charging for add-ons.

Tap or click for a look at this expensive new subscription category. →

I-Spy: Change your computer’s settings to stop programs spying on you

We've warned you many times to check what the apps on your phone have access to. The same goes for your PC or Mac. It's worth popping into your settings to see if your programs are spying on you. It only takes a couple minutes.

Tap or click for a quick privacy fix. →