March 19, 2025 By Mark Computer Techs

Having problems with a website? Try these tips.

That moment of frustration when a website refuses to cooperate is all too familiar. Whether it’s a slow loading page, a broken link, or a complete inability to connect, website problems can throw a wrench in your productivity or simply be a major annoyance. But before you throw your hands up in despair, take a deep breath and try these simple yet effective troubleshooting tips. You might be surprised at how often the solution is quick and easy.

Try an alternative web browser

Most computers have more than one web browser installed. The most common browsers are Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Safari (macOS). If a specific website isn’t working or displaying correctly in your normal browser, open your other web browser and go to the same website. If the problem is happening with multiple browsers, and your internet connection is OK (verified by other websites working), then the problem is likely something that out of your control. Try the website again later.

Delete the cookies and website data for the website you are trying to use

Here’s how to delete cookies and website data for a specific website in the four major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.

Google Chrome

Method 1: Through Site Information (Quickest)

  1. Navigate to the website: Open the website for which you want to delete cookies and data.
  2. Click the padlock icon (or “Not secure”) in the address bar to the left of the website’s URL.
  3. Click on “Cookies and site data” in the dropdown menu.
  4. A small window will appear showing the cookies and storage used by the current website.
  5. Click on the specific website’s entry (it will likely be the first one listed).
  6. Click the “Remove” button next to each individual cookie or data entry you want to delete.
  7. Alternatively, you can click the “Remove all” button at the bottom to delete all cookies and data for that website.
  8. Click “Done” to close the window. You might need to refresh the page for the changes to take full effect.

Method 2: Through Browser Settings

  1. Open Chrome’s menu: Click the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser window.1
  2. Go to “Settings”: Click on “Settings” in the dropdown menu.2
  3. Navigate to “Privacy and security”: Click on “Privacy and security” in the left-hand sidebar.3
  4. Click on “Cookies and other site data”.
  5. Click on “See all site data and permissions”.
  6. Search for the website: In the search bar in the top-right corner, type the name of the website.
  7. Click on the arrow next to the website in the search results. This will expand the details.
  8. Click the “Remove” icon (trash can) next to each cookie or data entry you want to delete.4
  9. Alternatively, you can click the “Clear all data” button at the top of the expanded website information to remove everything.
  10. Close the settings tab. You might need to refresh the page for the changes to take full effect.

Microsoft Edge

Method 1: Through Site Information (Quickest)

  1. Navigate to the website: Open the website for which you want to delete cookies and data.
  2. Click the padlock icon (or “Not secure”) in the address bar to the left of the website’s URL.
  3. Click on “Cookies and site permissions” in the dropdown menu.
  4. Under “Cookies and site data,” click on “Manage and delete cookies and site data.”1
  5. A page will open showing all stored cookies and site data.2 Find the entry for the specific website. You might need to expand the list by clicking the arrow next to the domain name.
  6. Click the trash can icon next to the specific cookie or data entry you want to delete.
  7. Alternatively, you can click the “Remove all” button at the top of the website’s expanded section to delete all cookies and data for that website.
  8. Close the settings tab. You might need to refresh the page for the changes to take full effect.

Method 2: Through Browser Settings

  1. Open Edge’s menu: Click the three horizontal dots (…) in the top-right corner of the browser window.3
  2. Go to “Settings”: Click on “Settings” in the dropdown menu.4
  3. Navigate to “Cookies and site permissions”: Click on “Cookies and site permissions” in the left-hand sidebar.5
  4. Click on “Manage and delete cookies and site data”.6
  5. Click on “See all cookies and site data”.
  6. Search for the website: Use the “Search cookies and site data” bar in the top-right corner and type the name of the website.
  7. Click the down arrow next to the website in the search results to expand the details.
  8. Click the trash can icon next to each individual cookie or data entry you want to delete.
  9. Alternatively, you can click the “Remove all” button at the top of the expanded website information to remove everything.
  10. Close the settings tab. You might need to refresh the page for the changes to take full effect.

Important Considerations for Edge:

  • Deleting cookies and website data for a specific site will log you out of that website and may reset any preferences you had set.
  • Be careful when deleting data, as it might remove important settings or information you want to keep for other websites.
  • After deleting the data, the website might take slightly longer to load on your next visit as it needs to retrieve the information again.

Mozilla Firefox

Method 1: Through Site Information (Quickest)

  1. Navigate to the website: Open the website for which you want to delete cookies and data.
  2. Click the padlock icon in the address bar to the left of the website’s URL.
  3. Click on “Cookies and Site Data” in the dropdown menu.
  4. A dialog box will appear showing the cookies and storage used by the current website.
  5. Select the specific website in the list.
  6. Click the “Remove Selected” button to delete the highlighted entries. You can select multiple entries by holding down the Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) key while clicking.
  7. Alternatively, you can click the “Remove All” button to delete all cookies and data for that website.
  8. Click “Save Changes” and then “OK” to close the dialog box. You might need to refresh the page for the changes to take full effect.

Method 2: Through Browser Settings

  1. Open Firefox’s menu: Click the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-right corner of the browser window.
  2. Go to “Settings”: Click on “Settings” in the dropdown menu.
  3. Navigate to “Privacy & Security”: Click on “Privacy & Security” in the left-hand sidebar.5
  4. Scroll down to the “Cookies and Site Data” section.
  5. Click the “Manage Data…” button.
  6. Search for the website: In the “Search websites” field, type the name of the website.
  7. Select the website in the list.
  8. Click the “Remove Selected” button.
  9. Click “Save Changes” in the pop-up confirmation window.
  10. Click “OK” to close the “Manage Cookies and Site Data” dialog box.6 You might need to refresh the page for the changes to take full effect.

Safari (macOS)

Method 1: Through the “Privacy” Tab in Preferences

  1. Open Safari’s menu: Click on “Safari” in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Go to “Preferences…”: Click on “Preferences…” in the dropdown menu.7
  3. Click on the “Privacy” tab.
  4. Click on “Manage Website Data…”.
  5. Search for the website: In the search bar in the top-right corner, type the name of the website.
  6. Select the website in the list.
  7. Click the “Remove” button.
  8. You can remove multiple websites by selecting them (using Cmd + click) and then clicking “Remove”.
  9. Click “Done” to close the “Manage Website Data” window.8 You might need to refresh the page for the changes to take full effect.

Method 2: Through the “Develop” Menu (If Enabled)

  • Enable the “Develop” menu (if you haven’t already): Go to Safari > Preferences > Advanced and check the “Show Develop menu in menu bar” box.9
  • Navigate to the website: Open the website for which you want to delete cookies and data.
  • Click on “Develop” in the menu bar.
  • Hover over “Website Data”.
  • Find and select the specific website in the submenu.
  • Click the “Remove” button.
  • Click “Done” in the “Website Data” window.10 You might need to refresh the page for the changes to take full effect.

Important Considerations:

  • Deleting cookies and website data for a specific site will log you out of that website and may reset any preferences you had set.
  • Be careful when deleting data, as it might remove important settings or information you want to keep for other websites.
  • After deleting the data, the website might take slightly longer to load on your next visit as it needs to retrieve the information again.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage the cookies and website data stored by your browser for individual websites.

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January 20, 2025 By Mark Computer Techs

Understanding Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enhancing Your Online Security

With the rise in cyber threats and data breaches, protecting your online accounts is more crucial than ever. One of the most effective ways to secure them is through Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). This guide explores what 2FA is, how it works, and why it’s essential for safeguarding your digital identity.

What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security used to verify that a user attempting to log into an online account is who they claim to be. Instead of relying solely on a password, 2FA requires a second piece of information—a second “factor”—which can only be obtained by the rightful account owner.

2FA factors typically fall into three categories:

  1. Something you know – like a password or PIN.
  2. Something you have – like a mobile device or a security key.
  3. Something you are – biometrics like a fingerprint, facial recognition, or voice.

With 2FA, you’ll need two of these factors to access your account, making it significantly more challenging for cybercriminals to breach it.

How Does 2FA Work?

The 2FA process generally follows these steps:

  1. Enter Your Username/Password: Begin by entering your usual password, which remains the first layer of protection.
  2. Receive a Verification Prompt: After entering your password, you’ll receive a second prompt to authenticate your identity. This prompt can be:
    • A one-time code sent via text message or email.
    • A code generated by an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) that refreshes every 30 seconds.
    • A push notification sent to your phone, which you approve or deny.
    • Biometric verification, such as a fingerprint scan or facial recognition.
  3. Complete the Second Step: After verifying this second factor, you gain access to your account.

Types of Two-Factor Authentication

There are various forms of 2FA, each with its own security strengths. Here are the most common ones:

  1. SMS-Based 2FA:
    • A unique, time-sensitive code is sent to your mobile phone via text message.
    • While convenient, it’s less secure due to the risk of SIM swapping, where attackers can hijack your phone number to intercept the code.
  2. Authenticator Apps:
    • Apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, and Microsoft Authenticator generate time-based codes that expire every 30 seconds.
    • Authenticator apps are highly secure as they aren’t reliant on SMS, making them resistant to SIM swapping and other phone-based attacks.
  3. Hardware Tokens:
    • Devices like YubiKey and Google Titan Key act as physical keys that plug into your computer or connect wirelessly. These tokens verify your identity when logging in.
    • Hardware tokens are very secure, as attackers would need physical possession of the device.
  4. Biometric 2FA:
    • Biometrics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice ID, serve as the second factor in 2FA.
    • Biometrics add strong security but are less widely supported across platforms and may require specific hardware.
  5. Push Notifications:
    • Many services, like Microsoft and Google, send a push notification to a trusted device. Approving the notification verifies your identity.
    • Push notifications are generally secure, especially if your device is protected with a password, PIN, or biometric.

Why You Should Use 2FA

Two-factor authentication offers several benefits, making it an essential component of a secure online presence:

  1. Increased Security:
    • With just a password, anyone who has your login credentials can access your account. Adding a second factor significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
  2. Protection Against Phishing:
    • Phishing attacks attempt to trick you into revealing your password. 2FA adds a hurdle, as attackers won’t have access to your second factor, like your phone or authenticator app.
  3. Minimal Impact on Usability:
    • While 2FA adds an extra step, it only takes a few seconds and provides substantial security benefits, often with only a small impact on convenience.
  4. Peace of Mind:
    • 2FA can give you confidence that your accounts are safer, helping protect personal information, financial data, and sensitive communications.

How to Enable 2FA on Popular Platforms

Enabling 2FA is straightforward on most platforms. Here’s how to set it up on a few commonly used services:

  1. Google and Gmail:
    • Go to Google Account Security Settings.
    • Select 2-Step Verification and follow the prompts to add an authenticator app or SMS verification.
  2. Facebook:
    • Open Settings & Privacy > Settings.
    • Under Security and Login, find Two-Factor Authentication and choose your preferred authentication method.
  3. Apple ID:
    • Open Settings on your iPhone or Mac, go to Password & Security, and select Two-Factor Authentication.
  4. Microsoft Accounts:
    • Log in to account.microsoft.com.
    • Go to Security > Additional Security Options > Two-Step Verification.
  5. Social Media & Financial Accounts:
    • Most major platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and online banks, offer 2FA under account security settings.

Tips for Using 2FA Effectively

  • Using Authenticator Apps is better than SMS: Authenticator apps are generally more secure than SMS codes, which can be vulnerable to interception or SIM swapping or someone taking over your cell number. However, using SMS is better than no 2FA at all.
  • Keep Backup Codes Safe: Many services provide backup codes for times when you can’t access your primary 2FA method. Store these codes securely, as they can be a lifesaver if you lose your phone.

Conclusion

Two-factor authentication is an essential security measure that everyone should enable on their online accounts. By adding an extra layer of verification, 2FA makes it much harder

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