Web browsers are your gateway to the internet or World Wide Web. Browsers contain a lot of features that make your online experience more efficient. This includes things like tabs that allow you to open different web pages at the same time, and “bookmarks” or “favorites” that let you save website addresses so that you don't have to type-in or search for frequently visited websites. Some of the most popular browsers are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, and … [Read more...]
July 22, 2022 By Computer Techs
June 24, 2022 By Computer Techs
Keep your smartphone safe
Today's smartphones retain a lot of personal data that you likely wouldn't want to get into the wrong hands. Below is a list of just some of the data that can be accessed if someone got into your smartphone: Someone can receive one-time passwords via text message or authenticator app that can be used to reset account passwordsImpersonate you by being able to send and receive calls, email and text messages on your behalfImpersonate you through any social networks apps that you useAccess any … [Read more...]
May 18, 2022 By Computer Techs
How and Why to Use Browser Tabs
The internet is a huge part of our daily lives. Whether you’re communicating with family over Zoom, checking what your friends are up to on Facebook or buying your weekly groceries, you no doubt use an Internet browser most days of the week – either on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Internet browsers have a host of cool tricks and functions that make the browsing experience more pleasurable and straightforward. To make the most of these features, you need to understand what … [Read more...]
May 9, 2022 By Computer Techs
How to Browse Privately if You Don’t Want Relentless Advertisements
Have you ever looked at a product on an e-commerce website and noticed that, later, an advertisement appears for that same product on another website? This is the work of advertising ‘cookies’ and other tracking tools, which monitor your online browsing activities to present you with relevant, targeted advertisements. This can be a great thing. Targeted advertisements can help you to discover new products and makes the browsing experience feel more personalized. In … [Read more...]
April 25, 2022 By Computer Techs
Avoid Online Surveys If You Don’t Want to Be Profiled
The next time you’re browsing on your computer, and you see a quiz on Facebook or another social media site that looks appealing, think before you click. With the political season back upon us, you need to be aware of how the data you share in these quizzes might be used. You might not think that a quiz about your favorite foods or personality type will be beneficial to political parties but, these days, you never know. Any data you share could ultimately be used for political … [Read more...]
April 11, 2022 By Computer Techs
What Is a QR Code Used For?
Updated 5/6/24: QR is an acronym for quick response – which makes sense as QR codes respond very quickly to requests to use them. Essentially, a QR code is a square-shaped barcode that you can scan with your smartphone to load a website, application or setting. It's quick and saves time vs. typing a long web address, searching for an app or setting, or typing a long password. QR codes can also be used to load phone numbers, passwordless login pages, and Wi-Fi details. In a restaurant your … [Read more...]
March 28, 2022 By Computer Techs
What Is the Cloud?
Once upon a time, the cloud referred to something you’d look up and see in the sky. In the age of technology, though, the cloud is something wholly different altogether. Essentially, the cloud offers a secure way to store and back up your data – things like your documents, files, photos and contact details. Before the cloud, you’d store this data on your computer hard drive. While you can still do this, it’s also wise to use the cloud too. This is because if your hard drive fails, … [Read more...]
March 1, 2022 By Computer Techs
Why you should never unsubscribe from certain emails
If you think the way to get less spam email is to click the "unsubscribe" link - not so fast. While legitimate email senders often will remove your email address from their list, spammers use unsubscribe links in emails to track people that take the time to open email and click the link. They then target you for even more junk email. Some methods that you can use to help identify legitimately sent emails include: Have you knowingly given your email address to the sender? Look to … [Read more...]
January 17, 2022 By Computer Techs
Search Gmail like a pro
Email has become one of the main ways we communicate both for work and personal conversations. It’s estimated that a person sends and receives an average of 126 emails per day, and that’s just for work. We all know that it doesn’t take long for an inbox to get unwieldy and fill up with older messages that are no longer needed or spam that can be deleted. But in between those unnecessary messages are emails that you need to keep. Trying to balance the two can be a challenge. Some users even … [Read more...]
December 31, 2021 By Computer Techs
Why You May Still Need a Computer Even If You Have a Tablet
Updated August 2024: Tablets have become a popular mobile device that fits a gap between the personal computer and the smartphone. It’s not always convenient to go to your computer to look up a website, and smartphone screens are so small that the experience just isn’t the same. When lounging on the sofa or traveling, tablets can provide a good experience for shopping online, browsing certain sites, or accessing social media. But, they do have limitations and aren’t a full replacement for … [Read more...]