You are here: Home / Archives for Internet

Being Careful Online

The thinker

Image by Darwin Bell via Flickr

Archaically referred to as the World Wide Web, the Internet is exactly that: a wide world. You can do almost anything in this world: date, shop, communicate, be entertained, work, anything you could do in a brick-and-mortar shopping mall. However, you can also be mugged, robbed, and cheated in the online world, and you need to be ready to defend against that.

 

Passwords:

Many websites require a password for you to access your account. Be sure to keep your passwords to yourself, and make sure they are not easily guessed by others. Mix it up: instead of using the word “Owlhouse” as a password, try “0wLH0us3″. It’s a little bizarre to type in, but it’s much safer.

 

Credit Cards:

The second you type in your credit card number online, it can be nabbed. Whether or not you’ve approved the transaction or sent it yet, the number has existed in cyberspace. Even typing it in puts you at risk. If you do a lot of shopping online, have a dedicated card that is only for online purchases. This card should be separate from your main checking account or credit line.

 

Adult Content:

Many people want to avoid pornography online, especially if young people use the same computer. The best way to cordon off adult content is to buy a blocker software that will not allow access to those sites, so even if you mistakenly visit one, you will be unable to access it. Setting search limitations of search engines is an excellent option as well.

Filed Under: Internet

Wireless Internet at Home

Wireless Router

Image via Wikipedia

Being able to access the Internet from anywhere is a great advancement in technology. Many stores and restaurants now offer free wireless access to customers, as well as some public spots such as libraries and parks. Most Smartphones can now use wireless Internet instead of using the cell signal for web browsing and downloads, which is very helpful when located in areas of low signal.

While wifi is accessible just about anywhere, having it in the home is one of the best ways to get the most usage out of the Internet. When a router is hooked up to the network, anyone in the home can utilize the connection without having to be plugged into the wall. Choosing a quality router is important to ensure that the signal will be strong and capable of being shared among multiple computers. There are four main standards for wireless routers: A, B (which are slightly slower), G, and N (which are faster). Choose a router that will work with the needs of the house; if there are online gamers, a faster connection will be necessary, while A or B would be an excellent choice for those who just use the Internet to browse and surf.

Choosing to password-protect the Internet connection is one way to keep users and data on the network safe from intruders. It also won’t allow neighbors to use the bandwidth and slow down the connection for the paying customers. Many routers come equipped with tutorial software and detailed instructions, which allow even brand new computer users to understand how to properly configure the settings for a smooth and easy web browsing experience.

Filed Under: Computers, Internet Tagged With: , ,

Protect The Environment – Learn To Shut Down Tech Devices When Not In Use

Western Digital WD2500BB hard disk drive (250 ...

Image via Wikipedia

There was a time when people believed that use of computers, internet and other technological advances will help protect the environment. Well, less trees are being cut because people use computer and virtual copies of documents instead of having paper copies. However, this does not mean the environment has really benefited from our switch to technology.

Writing on paper involved zero power. On the other hand, running a computer consumes a lot of power. The same is true for laptops and other tablet devices. If you want to do your bit for the environment, you should be prepared to shut down your computer on regular basis. Left to itself, the computer can remain powered for a very long time.

The internal cooling mechanism in a relatively comfortable environment will work well for a very long time. If you want to do your bit to help the environment with the help of technology, you should instruct your computer to shut down the hard disk 15 to 20 minutes of inactivity. You too will not have to wait for a long time to reboot the computer.

Not only will this will help you reduce immediate consumption of power, it will also improve the efficiency of your device. Frequent rebooting is a must to get rid of various temporary files that get accumulated in your operating system folder.

If you do not get rid of this empty waste, your computer is, sooner or later, going to consume extra power without any rhyme or reason. What is more, you do not have to make any significant change to your lifestyle or computer usage pattern.

Filed Under: Hardware, Internet Tagged With: , ,

Using Survey Software to Get Customer Feedback

Surveys have always been important in getting feedback from a large number of people. They are the most effective way to directly question an audience in their attitude towards your services. This enables you to improve upon your business as well as sales and marketing strategies. The method of conducting them is key, and software designed for creating surveys can help build the right set of questions for distribution online.

The visual appeal is the first thing the respondent notices. Online surveys can be designed in many ways, and the most eye-catching ones will get the most responses. Software programs make it very easy to organize the survey, and add the questions that you aim to get answered by your customers and clients. All of the questions should be easy to understand and relate directly to the customer’s interaction with the business. Vagueness and questions that are more personal in nature could turn the customer away and you could lose both valuable analytical data and business.

Online surveys should also be short, and the questions should be as well. You don’t want the customer to feel overburdened. Simple multiple choice or short answer questions will do. Survey software programs help you choose all of the visual elements and questions. These inexpensive programs also work with different operating systems.

Remember that the goal of online surveys is to get just enough customer data for a business analysis. The more concise they are, the easier it will be to interpret the data. Therefore, you’ll be able to save money and time in improving your business.

Filed Under: Internet, Software Tagged With: , ,