June 6, 2009—Vol. 13, No. 23

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DIGITAL TRICKS, TIPS AND ADVICE TO SAVE CASH
Coming at you from our studios in the great Sonoran Desert is the latest edition of the Kim Komando Show Electronic Newsletter! Stay tuned for fun sites, great freebies, and all the advice you need. Each week my national radio shows and newsletters reach tens of millions. It's great to have you with us!

CONTENTS -- WHAT'S IN YOUR INBOX THIS WEEK:
- ON THE QT: Digital TV transition; fun freebies and videos
- DIGITAL DIGRESSIONS: Easy and fast tips that work for you
- MY COLUMN: Five GPS units under $200
- COOL SITES: More fun stuff you'll like and use
- COOL USEFUL FUN FREEBIE: A better way to watch TV online
- SECURE COMPUTING: Criminals compromise 40,000 sites
- YOUR WEEKLY Q&A: Protect a laptop without spending a dime

USE MY HANDY MAP TO FIND MY RADIO SHOW IN YOUR HOMETOWN
Catch me this weekend in your hometown! With over 465 radio stations throughout the United States, there's bound to be a station near you that's broadcasting my show this weekend. To find the one closest to you, simply click here and you'll be magically transported to the Official Komando Radio Locator Map.

Then, join me for one, two or the entire three fun-filled, jam-packed hours of great talk radio about the Internet, HDTVs, MP3 players, DVRs, digital cameras, camcorders, GPSs, home theaters, computers and, of course, tips and secrets to getting the most out of your digital life.

HOW TO CALL ME DURING THE SHOW
I'd love to hear from you. It takes just three easy steps: 1.) Call the LIVE broadcast. That's this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the East Coast, or, if you live on the West Coast, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. 2.) Know the phone number. It is, of course, toll-free 1-888-825-5254. 3.) Tell our call screener Andrew what's on your mind. That's all there is to it!

KIM ON DEMAND: LISTEN WHEN & WHERE YOU WANT!
No iPod required! Get my daily and weekend national radio shows on your schedule. The shows sound incredible in crystal clear digital audio. It's commercial-free, too! Listen on your computer or take me with you in your MP3 player. You can even burn them to CDs and listen in the car. Click here to join Kim's Club today! It's just a few dollars per month.

CLICK IT THE UNDERLINED LINKS
When something is underlined in my newsletters, click it. It's a link for you to learn more. So go ahead, click the links. Expand your horizons. You'll be glad you did!

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PANIC! THE DIGITAL TV TRANSITION IS NEXT WEEK!
You've had a four-month reprieve. But now, the digital television transition is finally coming. By June 12, all full-power television stations will be broadcasting in digital. I've been talking about the transition for well over a year. So, you should be prepared!

But, in case you're a procrastinator, I have help! First, read my column on the transition. It addresses a lot of common questions. Then, get a $40 coupon toward a converter, if you need one. My Cool Site will tell you how to get one (or two).

Now you're ready to set up everything. You don't have to go it alone. No, I won't come to your home and help! But the government has hired contractors. They won't install outdoor antennas. But they'll get your other gear up and going—for free. You can learn more at the government's DTV site.

SHARE WITH A FRIEND: Help keep your family and friends in the know. Forward this newsletter to them now. Or, if you prefer, invite them to join us. In fact, we have a special place set up to do just that. Click now and share the power of knowledge.

GET THE WEATHER ON YOUR DESKTOP
Edward wrote from Quincy, IL. He tunes in to my national radio show on WGEM 105 FM. He's looking for a program I recommended awhile back. It puts the weather forecast on your desktop. It appears as wallpaper.

Well, Edward, you're looking for WeatherMate. It is one of hundreds of programs you'll find in my Downloads section. I hope it brings you good summer weather! And check for other fun freebies!

QUESTIONS FROM MY IN-BOX
As I was going through my e-mail this past week, it appears as if many of you are looking to get your business online. So, to that end, let me point you in the right direction.

Here are direct links to information posted on my site to help you get started.

• The cheap and easy way to build a Web site for your new business.
• Small business means small budgets. Read this tip to learn about freebies for the small business owner, including accounting software, consulting, loans and more.
• Let your customers set appointments with you using the Internet. No more calls or e-mail going back and forth!
• Free accounting software for your small business.
• Send free e-mail marketing newsletters and promotions for your small business using my advertiser, Constant Contact. Use promo code Kim to get 90 days free! No credit card required.

If you have a question, call me at 1-888-825-5254 during the live broadcast of my show. That's Saturday mornings, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Pacific.

ENTER NOW TO WIN BIG! OVER $40,000 IN PRIZES
You cannot win if you don't enter.

WHAT CAN YOU WIN? GLAD YOU ASKED!
Here's a peek at some of the prizes:

• HP TouchSmart All-in-One PC ($1,499 value)
• Windows Powered Toshiba Satellite laptop ($1,249 value)
• HP Pavilion Entertainment Notebook ($854 value)
• HP MediaSmart Server ($599 value)
• Samsung Cell Phones (up to $349)
• Logitech Indoor Video Security System ($299 value)
• Toshiba Portable DVD Player ($229 value)
• Windows Vista Ultimate ($219 value)
• DXG High-Definition Camcorder ($180 value)
• Kodak Easyshare Digital Camera ($179 value)
• Pure Digital Flip Video Mino ($179 value)
• SPOT Satellite GPS Tracker ($169 value)
• HP 8" Digital Picture Frame ($149 value)
• …and much, much more!

Click here to see all the great prizes at the Spring Stimulus Giveaway site.

Congratulations to our most recent daily winners!

5/29 – Carol Berube of Holden, MA (WTAG 94.9 FM & 580 AM) won the Weekly Grand Prize: the PlayStation Portable and Buzz! Master Quiz Package
5/30 – Patricia Gordon of Hutto, TX (KLBJ 590 AM) won the Pure Digital Flip Mino ($180 value)
5/31 – Nancy Metz of North Myrtle Beach, SC (WRNN 99.5 FM & 1450 AM) won the Toshiba Portable DVD Player ($180 value)
6/1 – Kathy Poe of Jacksonville Beach, FL (WOKV 690 AM) won a Logitech Indoor Video Security System ($300 value)
6/2 – Michael Wellendorf of Lansing, IA (WMT 600 AM) won a Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Product Red Version ($219 value)
6/3 – Karen Koontz of Gas City, IN (1190 WOWO) won QuickBooks Accounting Pro 2009 software ($200 value)
6/4 – Pete Borini of Rexford, NY (WGY 810 AM) won a Kodak Easyshare Digital Camera ($180 value)

Note: Your name would look good on this list!

HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:
Visit the Spring Stimulus Giveaway page to enter daily. I am giving away great prizes each day of the giveaway. Plus, make sure to enter once a day for your chance to win our weekly grand prize! These prizes will be featured each Friday on the site and winners will be announced on-air each weekend!

Finally, don't forget about our sponsors. Be sure to check out the great prizes on the Spring Stimulus Giveaway page. The sponsors make the giveaway possible. To learn more about the prizes, click those links (hint, hint) to visit the sponsors' sites.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE GIVEWAY
Now that you've entered, why not invite your friends? Just enter their information on my site. I'll send them an invitation. If they win, maybe they'll share with you!

TELL YOUR FACEBOOK, TWITTER, MYSPACE, BLOG READERS AND SITE VISITORS
1. Put a banner on your site! Tell them all about my contest. And all they have to do is click to enter!
2. Click the Share This button. You'll see it at the top of the Enter, Prizes, Winners and Share pages. You'll see a list of sites. Select one. It adds my contest!
3. While you're at it, join me on Facebook and Twitter.

NEED A FREEBIE?
Downloading software from the Internet is a risky business. That is, unless you head over to my free Download Center!

Each day, I choose one great freebie to feature as my Download of the Day. Thoroughly tested, these gems won't harm your machine! Miss a day? No worries! You'll find all my picks at my Download site! There are hundreds!

Here are some of my favorites from the past week:

• Do you know a bunch of great photographers? Why not create your own photo-sharing community?
• Good video games don't have to break the bank. This 2D computer game is free and fun.
• Stop worrying about downloading malware. This program keeps others from changing your computer.
• What's the best part of the daily paper? The funny pages, of course. Now, get them on your desktop

Saturday's Download of the Day—Hulu lets you watch TV on your schedule. But you had to do it in your Web browser. No longer. You can now access Hulu on your desktop.

Preview of Sunday's download—Video formats are a confusing mess. So, convert your videos to easy-to-use formats.

Want direct access to over 300 free programs? Bookmark my Downloads page. Just go here and press Ctrl+D. That will add my downloads to your browser's favorites!

And remember this: If I say a program is free, it's FREE. There are sites on the Internet that sell free programs. There are also many ads on the Internet for similar programs, which aren't free. If somebody tries to charge you for a free program, back up. You've clicked on the wrong thing.

YOUR SOURCE FOR THE WEB'S BEST VIDEOS
I don't have much time on my hands. But I still make time to sift through the inane videos on YouTube. I do it so you don't have to! Each day, I pick one great choice to share with you. You'll love my videos!

Here are my favorite videos from the past week:

• It's important for a man to be handy around the house. But can that talent go too far? Yes, it can. And here is the proof.
• Who doesn't like to watch pets do silly tricks? These pets are surprisingly talented. One exercises; the other plays catch.
• This cool video looks back at pre-Internet history. A man found a modem from the early 1960s. He set out to make it work.
• Can you recite the alphabet backwards? Well, that's nothing, compared to this man's talent. Try singing backwards.

I really respect true performers. These are people who have honed their skills into an art. Watching them perform is deeply entertaining. These videos feature some fantastic performances. See more videos in my Video of the Day archive.

• The Army and Navy are allied forces. But they are fierce rivals when it comes to sports. What could bring them both to a standing ovation?
• For some insight into a foreign culture watch how they dance. Dancing can really tell a story. This Chinese dance tells a story beautifully.
• Improvisation is a real skill. Improvisation to Beethoven is an art. And these two do it perfectly. They have a hilarious lover's spat set to music.
• Magic is all about misdirection. But what about speed magic? This guy does 10 mind-bending illusions in five minutes. And he is good.

Saturday's video—The WWII memorial in Washington is beautiful. But many veterans of that war have yet to see it. One charity aims to change that.

NOTE: Are you having trouble seeing my daily video picks? Do you get a message that the video is not available? Sorry to say, it's probably not the video. It's your computer, my friend. Get help on my troubleshooting page. These problems are pretty easy to fix.

SHARE MY VIDEO PICKS
On the lower left of the Video of the Day screen, there is a button. In fact, here's what the button looks like.

Click this button and you can share the video with family members, friends, coworkers and more.

PRIVACY AND SECURITY TIP: Worried about photo navigation?
A new innovation in GPS units is troubling. Photo navigation combines in-car GPS and geo-tagged photos. You can get turn-by-turn directions to where a photo was shot. But could this be dangerous? I'll give you the details on my national radio show this weekend. Be sure to listen around 40 minutes into the second hour of the show to learn more.

Need to find a radio station near you? No problem! Click here to use the official Kim Komando Show Locator Map. With over 450 stations, there's probably a station near you. But if there isn't, you can always download the shows with a Kim's Club membership. It's only $5.95 per month.

STILL TO COME: Useful tips, important news and a few laughs!

• Another scam that could land you in trouble
• Can you connect a computer to a plasma TV?
• You don't need to pay to protect your laptop
• Important security tips; and some awesome freebies!

BOY, THOSE SCAMMERS KEEP GETTING SMARTER
Terry in Goodlettsville, TN, listens to the show on WTN 99.7 FM. She is looking for work-from-home opportunities. She received an offer from a Russian company. It wants her to edit text that it sends her. She will be paid for her work. She wants to know if this is a scam.

I'm glad you wrote. Many people are getting taken by work-from-home scams. I recently wrote a column about spotting these scams for USAToday.com. You can read it here on my site.

Now, this is an interesting one, Terry. It doesn't have the usual scam hallmarks. The message makes it clear that you'll be working. It also tells you the details of the position. And there are no get-rich-quick claims. Many people might jump on this. But the fact that the company is overseas could give them pause.

Let me start with the good news, Terry. The company will send you text to edit. It won't ask for sensitive data up-front. It will even pay you for the editing.

Now for the kicker. It would probably be grooming you. It wants to build trust. The company eventually will offer you a promotion. You'll be a local agent, a position that comes with more money.

You'll receive checks that you cash and forward to a different account. Ta-da! See how the magic works? You've become a money launderer! You're helping identity thieves. And you can expect criminal charges!

These guys are always developing scams. And I'd hate to see you caught up in them. So, do yourself a favor. Check my Money Center. You'll find legitimate work-at-home opportunities there.

Of course, there are plenty of ways to make money. Click the links below to my newspaper columns.

• How to sell your homemade crafts on the Internet
• Strike it rich with your own online store
• Make money with your own blog

PAY IT FORWARD: I'm sure at least one person you know might benefit from these tidbits. So, spread the love. Forward this newsletter to all your friends. Encourage them to de-stress, too, and sign up for our newsletters!

GETTING A MAC LAPTOP READY FOR COLLEGE
James wrote from Phoenix, where he listens on KFYI 550 AM. He just got a MacBook for his 18th birthday. This will be his college computer, so he needs to install Windows. He wants to know where he can download Windows XP. He also wants to know about securing the machine.

Well, James, Mac OS X contains Boot Camp. This nifty little program lets you run Windows or OS X. When you start up, you can decide between operating systems. Of course, you will need to set up Boot Camp.

Unfortunately, Mac OS X does not include Windows. You'll need to purchase a copy. You probably could download XP. However, I strongly recommend against this. That's piracy. And the download could be hiding viruses or other malware.

You'll have a hard time finding a store offering XP. I would check the many sellers of academic-priced goods online. These stores sell software to students at significant discounts. Check out this tip.

You may have to settle for Windows Vista. I would recommend that, anyway. XP is slowly cruising toward obsolescence.

If you're really adventurous, download the release candidate of Windows 7. It will last about a year. At that time, you can purchase a full version.

Most colleges suggest that you use Microsoft Office. This package lists for about $600. But as a student, Microsoft will sell it to you for $65. This is a great deal. Just go to its Ultimate Steal site.

Now, you're smart to think about securing your machine. Even Macs are not impervious to attack. I have a handy tip that will help you lock down your new Mac. Of course, you should also take steps to protect the Windows partition. My Security Center has all the free security software you need!

By the way, Carbonite, the online backup service, now works with Macs. This company advertises with me. Carbonite is wonderful; I use it at home and the office. Protect the data on your Mac today! Use promo code Kim during your free trial and you get two months free! Click here to try Carbonite now.

PROBLEMS WITH HTML NEWSLETTERS
Les wrote from Atlanta, where he catches the show on WSB 750 AM. He also hears it on podcast because he's a Kim's Club Member.

Les is having trouble viewing some HTML newsletters in his e-mail. He doesn't have trouble with my newsletters. But other ones cause problems. He views them in Outlook and uses the free AVG antivirus software.

Well, Les, you're able to read my newsletters without any trouble. So what's the problem? Just kidding!

AVG has been known to cause similar problems. And it doesn't sound like the problem is with Outlook. Otherwise, you probably wouldn't be able to read my newsletters.

Fortunately, the fix is easy. Start by opening the AVG interface. Click Tools>>Advanced Settings. Then, click E-mail Scanner. Now, uncheck "Certify e-mail." Save your changes. This should do the trick for you!

By the way, if you need free antivirus software, drop by my Security Center. You'll find links to free antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall software.

Don't let your inbox get out of control! I have plenty of tips to help you manage e-mail:

• Managing multiple e-mail accounts
• Getting a grip on spam
• Be courteous by using BCC

STAY UP TO DATE THE EASY WAY
Staying up with the digital news can be tough. But you don't have to worry about that. I check the news every morning. Then, I send it to you in my free News of the Day newsletter, Monday through Friday. So why not sign up now?

Now, you can also get the headlines and watch the latest news videos, too, on my site. Drop by our Daily News page at Komando.com.

GET UNBIASED BUYING ADVICE WHENEVER YOU NEED IT
Visit the Komando.com Buying Guide. Here, you can find unbiased advice on buying laptops, desktops, TVs, monitors, scanners, video cards, digital cameras, software, audio, printers, cell phones, networking gear, handhelds, memory cards and, well, let's just say a heck of a lot more! You can scan the categories. Or use the Search banner on the page. We hope you like the improvements at the Buying Guide and use it often!

DON'T STOP YET – THERE'S MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Rookie Rundown—Computers and plasma sets
• Don't let thieves get your laptop!
• Keep reading! I have more money-saving tips!

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FIVE GPS UNITS UNDER $200
Once luxury items, GPS units are now a necessity for millions. Keeping your bearings no matter where the road leads is a breeze. Full-featured GPS units can approach $1,000. Fortunately, you'll find excellent units at a fraction of the price.

Here are my top picks for GPS units under $200. These are average prices on the Web:

Garmin nuvi 265T

The nuvi 265T ($180) features a 3.5-inch screen. It includes maps for all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. There are six million points of interest and Bluetooth functionality.

You'll get turn-by-turn, text-to-speech directions that announce street names.

The big draw is free real-time traffic updates for life. You may see small, unobtrusive ads for businesses along your route. Routes are not altered to take you past advertisers.

Do you have a Web site or blog? If so, help support The Kim Komando Show! Linking to my site is easy. Plus, I just added new artwork to post on your page. You'll find instructions and the artwork here. Thank you for your support!

A LITTLE ABOUT ME:
Did you know that I host two national radio shows? I have a Digital Minute that airs Monday through Friday. I also host a three-hour show on the weekends. Over 460 radio stations in the great United States broadcast my shows. Plus, from here in the desert come all kinds of tidbits about living a digital lifestyle. You can read my weekly column in over 100 Gannett newspapers across the country. And I write two columns a week for the USAToday Web site.

HAVE A QUESTION? CALL ME!
If you have a question about something digital, let me help! It takes just three easy steps: 1.) Call the LIVE broadcast. That's this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the East Coast, or, if you live on the West Coast, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. 2.) Know the phone number. It is, of course, toll-free 1-888-825-5254. 3.) Talk to me. That's all there is to it!

STILL TO COME IN THIS ISSUE:

• Some freebies and a contest for you to win!
• Free solutions to protect a laptop
• And so much more you can use!

Johnny wrote in from Swainsboro, GA, where he tunes in on WGAC 580 AM. He wants to use his plasma HDTV as a monitor.

Theoretically, you can connect your computer to any HDTV. But the connections on the TV should match your computer's.

This can be a bit tricky. Your plasma should have an HDMI port. It may also have a VGA port.

Your computer's video card will have a VGA port. It may also have a DVI port. You can use the VGA port, if you choose. But that's analog. You'll get a better picture with a digital connection.

So, you can connect the digital DVI and digital HDMI ports. A cable to do that will run about $25.

Now, you may want a dual-monitor setup. Your video card will need two video-out ports. Or, you can buy a second video card. It can be internal or external. Find out how to get everything set up in my handy tip.

And don't forget MultiMon for managing the two monitors. It's free on my site!

Finally, you might be interested in a set top box. This will transfer most of the content from your computer to your television. Set top boxes basically just let you view movies and pictures. Learn more about them in my must-read column.

And remember, if you connect a computer to your TV, you can use the computer as a DVR!

A MESSAGE FROM THE KOMANDO.COM POSTMASTER
Did you move and get a new e-mail address? Let us know so you don't miss a single issue of our free newsletters. It's easy. Just use our Change of Address form at the Komando Newsletter Center. Click here to access it now.

STILL TO COME IN THIS WEEKEND'S EDITION:

• Security tips to keep your computer safe
• Finding free laptop trackers

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FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Tune in to my fun-filled, jam-packed big three-hour weekend show. It's loads of family-friendly fun—and it's educational, too. I go over all things digital and take your calls. During the week, my Digital Minute provides you a quick tip. If you're on the go, Kimcasts are the way to hear me on your schedule!

TIME ADJUSTMENTS IN THESE MARKETS
• Memphis, TN (WREC 600 AM), Saturdays, 6 p.m. You can still catch my Minutes in the 2 p.m. hour weekdays
• Fond du Lac, WI (KFIZ 1450 AM), Sundays, 2 p.m.
• Omaha, NE (KFAB 1110 AM), Saturdays, 3 p.m. Hear my Minutes in the 5 a.m. hour weekdays

HELLO, NEW STATIONS
Fresno, CA (KJZN 105.5 FM), Sundays, 4 p.m.

West Tennessee's TJ Network: Jackson (WTJS 1390 AM); Dyer (WTJJ 94.3 FM); and Humboldt (WTJW 105.3 FM), Sundays, 1 p.m. Digital Minutes are at 5:45 p.m. weekdays!

A GLOBAL LISTENING AREA
Hundreds of stations around the globe air my shows. I am sure if you check my locator map you will find a station near you. Here is a small sample: Stations on The American Forces Radio Network; Chicago (WLS 890 AM); Dallas (KRLD 1080 AM); Houston (KPRC 950 AM); Atlanta (WSB 750 AM); Kansas City, KS (KMBZ 980 AM); Rochester, NY (WHAM 1180 AM); Birmingham, AL (WAPI 1070 AM); Erie, PA (WJET 1400 AM); Columbus, GA (WRCG 1420 AM); Las Cruces, NM (KOBE 1450 AM); Astoria, OR (KAST 1370 AM); Puerto Rico (WOSO 1030 AM); and more!

LIMA, OH
First, the city is pronounced "Lye-ma" and not "Lee-ma," a common mistake. Lima was one of the Oil Boom towns. Oil was discovered in Ohio circa 1885. School buses, petroleum products, machine tools and fertilizer are just some of the products Lima produces.

WIMA 1150 AM airs my show Saturdays at 3 p.m., and Sundays, 9 p.m. It airs my Digital Minutes in the 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours!

LOCATE YOUR NEAREST KIM KOMANDO RADIO STATION
Click here and access my handy dandy locator map. It's simple. Click on an area near you. Then, enter your e-mail address. You will receive an instant e-mail telling you when to tune in.

BECOME A MEMBER OF MY CLUB
Join Kim's Club and get access to premium content. You'll also get Message Board postings about everything you can imagine. And let's not forget the on-demand audio! You can listen to my daily and weekend shows when and where you want!

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	Other Items of Interest A Mug For Mr. Right A Mug For Mrs. Always Right

KIM'S TIPS FOR KOMANDO KIDS: Sims 3 is not for kids
My son has been eagerly awaiting Sims 3. But he won't be playing it. It's not kid-friendly. And neither is the online content surrounding it. Be sure to listen around 40 minutes into the third hour of the show this weekend to learn more.

Need to find a radio station near you? No problem! Click here to use the official Kim Komando Show Locator Map. With over 450 stations, there's probably a station near you. But if there isn't, you can always download the shows with a Kim's Club membership. It's only $5.95 per month.

CONTEST: My Spring Stimulus Giveaway
Check out my giveaway now. We have laptops, speaker systems, camcorders and more. Enter every day to win. In fact, you could win something great every single day of the giveaway. So, bookmark the site now! There is over $40,000 in prizes.

CONTEST SITE: Fantasy Fund Sweepstakes
Popular Mechanics magazine is giving away $100,000. One person will win. All you have to do is enter. Open to U.S. residents, 13 or older. Deadline: 1/15/2010

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK: Burt Day Gift
Burt's Beeswax is giving away 1,000 lip balms every day. Just visit the site between 9am and noon. If you don't get one today, try again tomorrow. Deadline: 6/20/09

FREEBIE FROM KOMANDO.COM: Personal finance programs
There has never been a better time to get your finances in order. But that's easier said than done. These personal finance programs will get you off on the right foot.

FREEBIE FROM CITRIX: GoToAssist
Are you in the tech support business? Ever want to be? Or, do you need to hop on a client's computers to check things? If so, try GoToAssist free for 30 days.

FREEBIE FROM CONSTANT CONTACT: Free e-mail marketing
Send e-mail newsletters and promotions to your customers the easy way. Kim Komando Show listeners get a 90-day free trial. Use promo code Kim.

GET A COOL SITE EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK
There are plenty of great sites on the Web. But who has time to find them? Every day, I pick one great site and share it with you. Try it for a week and you'll love it!

In case you missed any this past week, here's a list of some of our favorites:
• Have a little fun with your Webcam
• Cool, close-by attractions
• Stunning close-ups

Do you get my free Cool Site of the Day newsletter? Sign up now by clicking here.

Stay with us. There's lots more to cover:

• A better way to watch TV on the Internet

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THIS WEEK'S FOCUS: A better way to watch TV on the Web
I've talked about Hulu before. It's a great place to watch TV for free online. You can learn more about Hulu and other sites in this tip.

Well, Hulu lets you watch shows on your schedule. But you previously had to do it in your Web browser. No longer. You can now access Hulu on your desktop. This is one slick program. You'll want to check it out.

But before you do, be sure to listen to the first hour of the Kim Komando Show this weekend. At around 43 minutes into the first hour of the show, I will give you some insider tips on using it.

Let's keep it going; there's plenty more to cover:
• SECURE COMPUTING: Hackers break into 40,000 sites

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A SLEW OF SITES HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED
Hackers have compromised as many as 40,000 Web sites. They uploaded JavaScript code, likely through an SQL injection attack. The code redirects visitors to a bogus Google Analytics Web site. From there, they are directed to another malicious site.

The site probes a machine for vulnerabilities in IE and Firefox. If it finds flaws, it can potentially install numerous pieces of malware. A similar, but probably unrelated, attack hit Twitter this week. Both apparently are from Russia.

Remember my motto, folks: update, update, update! Make sure you run Windows Update regularly for necessary patches. Use Secunia's Personal Software Inspector to check for updates to third-party programs. And, of course, make sure your security software is current.

*   *   *

Lately, I'm getting complaints about Tagged.com. This is a smallish social-networking site. It's apparently sending misleading e-mail to attract members. I have the information on my site.

THE END IS IN SIGHT, BUT I WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK
• Secure a laptop the free way

You recently mentioned Adeona. It is a free program that helps you recover a stolen laptop. My daughter's laptop was recently stolen. So, I want to install it on all my children's laptops. However, the site does not seem to be working. Are there free alternatives?
Candi in Somers, NY, listening on WSTC 1400 AM

You're wise to install anti-theft software on the laptops. They're particularly attractive targets for thieves.

There are plenty of paid programs to protect laptops. For example, there's Lojack and Computrace. But the yearly fees can be high.

That's why I recommended Adeona as a free alternative. But, since then, things have changed. It appears that the site is experiencing back-end issues. This is causing reliability problems.

Adeona is striving to fix these problems. You'll need to find an alternative in the meantime.

Fortunately, Adeona isn't the only such free tool.

For instance, there is LocatePC. It is designed to run undetected. There will be no pop-ups, icons or saved e-mail. That way, a thief won't know that the program is running. Further, the process name is obscure. This makes it more difficult to detect in Task Manager.

By default, LocatePC sends an e-mail to the owner daily. The e-mail declares the IP address it is using. It also sends an e-mail when it changes Internet Protocol addresses. (The IP address is a unique number used on the Internet.) So your kids can expect plenty of e-mail.

When a laptop is stolen, the e-mail keeps coming. Hopefully, the police can track it with the IP address.

Next up: LocateMyLaptop. Again, it is free.  

LocateMyLaptop offers many of the same features as LocatePC. But it also lets you view information online. That means you can track it from anywhere. When it goes missing, the program will send a stealth message. This goes to LocateMyLaptop. It will then provide you information to help you recover it.

LocateMyLaptop also offers a premium version. The features are beefed up. It also offers another handy tool. You can remotely delete the laptop data. But, you'll pay $3 monthly for the privilege.

I also recommend installing alarms. This is a great deterrent! Learn more about laptop alarms in my money-saving tip.

Of course, you should take other precautions. My handy tip will help.

Finally, your children should be sure to encrypt sensitive data. This could be more valuable than their laptops. I have a great free program that will help!

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Kim :)

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FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
For years, the campanile rang beautifully, under the guidance of a master bell ringer. But one day, the bell ringer fell from the tower, dying instantly. The distraught bishop advertised for a replacement. The next day, the bell ringer's brother appeared and requested an audition. The bishop sadly took him to the tower. As the man bent to lift the hammer, he suffered a heart attack. He, too, plunged to his death. A monk ran up the stairs and said to the bishop, "My God! How terrible! What was his name?" Replied the weeping bishop, "I don't know, but he's a dead ringer for his brother!"

Hugs to all!

Kim :)

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