Browsing is completely harmless, right? That is, until your browsing history reveals all of your private information to a stranger. That’s why you need to make a habit of regularly deleting your search history. Online safety consists of many practices, and good browser hygiene is one of them. To maintain your online security, you should…
If you’ve ever wondered whether you need GDPR compliance, what PCI DSS actually requires, or why your enterprise customers keep asking about SOC 2, you’re not alone. This guide cuts through the complexity to explain the cybersecurity compliance standards that matter most in 2026, including what they protect, who needs them, and how to figure…
You ran a speed test, and everything looks great: download and upload speeds are high, ping is good. Yet…streaming still buffers every few minutes, video calls freeze, gaming lags, and web pages take forever to load. What gives? This is a surprisingly common problem. Many of us expect that a high Mbps number guarantees a…
Secure coding is the practice of writing software that resists security attacks from the ground up. This proactive approach prevents common vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and buffer overflows before they reach production. Key benefits include reduced security risks, lower remediation costs, enhanced user trust, and regulatory compliance. What Is Secure Coding? Secure…
Sometimes, getting the best use out of technology requires some workarounds. These workarounds can help you with things like switching your dating profile to a new location when you’re in a new state or looking up restaurants in the city you will be vacationing in next year. Sometimes, these simple requests can be really easy…
Hacking isn’t just something that happens to phones, computers, or big business networks. A router is one of the devices required for an internet connection. If you have internet at home, you have a router, whether you bought one yourself or are renting it from your internet service provider. And if you have a router,…
Sending an email at the wrong time or to the wrong party (or both) can be a painful scenario. We’ve all been there. You might have a less-than-professional message meant for your best friend, whose name is unfortunately right next to your boss’s in your address list. Or perhaps a humorous note meant for another…
iPhone users everywhere understand how vital phone connection and functionality can prove. For many of us, our iPhones provide the keys to our lives — our calendars, to-do lists, Internet connection, email access, photos, contacts, and more live inside of our pocket-sized smart devices, and we would be lost without them. When your iPhone slows…
Technology continues to revolutionize our lives in ways that can enhance every aspect of our daily routines. The Internet has become a tool we can’t live without, and influences everything from our social interactions to our banking to the security of our homes. The Internet of Things (IoT) may sound like the name of an…
Have you ever seen an image somewhere and wondered, Where have I seen that before? Or maybe someone shared an image online and you want to know if it was real or Photoshopped? Maybe you need to track down an image to see if it is copyrighted. There are plenty of reasons why you might…
Although unheard of 25 years ago, we now collectively depend on our smartphones. Americans use smartphones to make and receive fewer than five calls per day, but we still spend a daily average of 4.5 hours on our phones. We religiously use our smart devices to access texts, GPS directions, photos, restaurant reviews, social media,…
We’ve all experienced that Homer Simpson DOH! feeling after hitting send on a message we did not mean to send. Maybe you noticed a typo that makes your message confusing or even offensive. Perhaps auto-correct wildly changed the meaning of your text. via GIPHY For too long now, iPhone users have been out of luck…
For many of us, an Android smartphone holds all of the crucial details of our lives. You use your Android as a photo album, document folder, work vault, storage of countless memories, social connections, and more. When your phone breaks or slows down, you may feel the void immediately. It’s easy to panic when your…
In a digital era that zips by at the speed of a click, mastering the art of scheduling text messages on your iPhone isn’t just a neat trick; it’s practically a modern-day superpower! Imagine the convenience: your phone sends a ‘Happy Birthday‘ text sharp at midnight, nudges your friend about that long-forgotten coffee plan, or…
Dealing with a constantly dying phone battery is so frustrating! When you first bought your phone, you probably enjoyed hours and hours of use without having to worry about the battery dying. You went to work and didn’t have to remember to bring your charging cable to plug in midday. You may have traveled without…
Rapid advances in technology have allowed us to incorporate cool new toys and tools into our daily lives. The doorbell camera is no exception. Gone are the days of staring out your peephole or even opening your front door without knowing who lurks on the other side. Doorbell cameras aren’t relegated to large mansions, either….
In the digital age, the amount of information at our fingertips is staggering. Between newspaper and magazine articles, newsletters, social media posts, and articles shared on social media, it’s easy to have an overload of information by the time you eat breakfast. This can make it challenging to know what’s legit and what isn’t. Here…
Rumors are swirling that Apple might be releasing a long-awaited update to their AppleTV box unit in 2024. Whether you are using an older generation model or plan to get a new one, you likely enjoy streaming the latest shows, movies, and sports on your AppleTV. You also probably know how frustrating it is when…
Although flying cars and teleportation are still imaginative dreams, 21st century technology has advanced so rapidly that many futuristic details imagined in the 1980s have become a reality. For example, the ability to connect with others through live, real-time video streaming. In recent years, video calls have become a daily reality for many of us….
Computers, smartphones, and internet-connected devices communicate with one another through IP networking. “Internet Protocol” is part of the TCP/IP suite that governs the exchange of data across modern computer networks. Every operating system uses a series of commands to interact with data. That includes Unix, an operating system that was created in 1969. Although Unix…
In today’s digital age, Quick Response (QR) codes have become a ubiquitous feature of modern life. From advertising campaigns to contactless payments, these pixelated squares offer a convenient way to access information with a simple scan. However, beneath their seemingly innocuous exterior lies a realm of cybersecurity risks that can compromise personal data, security, and…
Operating systems are the foundation of computing, managing hardware resources, and providing services to applications. Many types of OS exist for different needs. This comprehensive guide to the types of operating systems examines popular operating system categories and examples in detail. What is an Operating System? Think of an operating system (OS) like a manager…
Knowing the specific version of your operating system (OS) is crucial for a variety of reasons. The latest versions often come with new features, enhanced security, and improved performance, while older versions might lack support or security patches. Identifying your OS version ensures that your device is compatible with the software you’re using, allows you…
“Creeper,” the first computer virus, hit servers over 50 years ago. However, Creeper wasn’t used for nefarious purposes. It was a test to see if programmed code could self-replicate, and it is known as the first “worm” virus. In the decades since, and especially since the dawn of the Internet, computer viruses have been used…
Just like each of the devices you use on a regular basis, your printer has a unique IP address. It isn’t difficult to find your printer’s IP address, but you do have to know where to look. There are several ways to find your printer’s IP address. The best strategy to choose is the one…
When it comes to dealing with Internet device connections and networks, most of us have at least heard of the technological terminology involved. USB cables, WiFi, routers, and ethernet connections are used by everyone — even when we don’t necessarily understand how they work. When discerning what connections will work best for your needs, you…
SQL injection is a mechanism that cyber attackers use to interfere with application queries to a database. Specifically, SQL injection exploits a security vulnerability and gives hackers access to data that they shouldn’t have access to. How SQL Injection Works To understand SQL injection (SQLi), you have to first understand code injection and SQL. “Code…
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a packet-switching protocol that was designed for micro-browsers. Most mobile wireless networks and mobile phones from 1999-2010 used WAP to access the Internet. For years, WAP provided the framework so that wireless devices can communicate instantly between themselves and the Internet. Today, WAP is essentially obsolete, as modern mobile browsers…
So you’ve decided to purchase and set up your home router system. How much time could it possibly take? You’ve opted out of your internet provider’s offer to rent you equipment and set it up for you. You want to ensure that all security measures for your router are maintained by you and not your…
Having access to the internet has become so common now that it’s considered a basic human right by many. But that doesn’t mean setting up and maintaining a home network is easy. Home networks can’t work without specific network devices, which you probably have at least some awareness of. If you have internet access at…
A CAPTCHA examination is simply a few-seconds test that helps websites minimize spam comments, protect their registration forms, and divert traffic that might be coming from suspicious or even know disreputable sources.
What it is. How to spot it. How to get rid of it. Do you need to worry about malware? Yes, indeed. If you think of malware as a disease for your computer, you get the idea. Like Covid at its height, malware is a virus that can absolutely ravage computers and a computer network….
How many extensions do you have installed on your Google Chrome browser? You know, those tiny icons that sit in the top right corner, next to the address bar? If you’re like most people, you may not know exactly how many extensions you have installed and active on your web browser. It’s probably more than…
As a content sharing platform, YouTube has rules that its users must follow. Videos have to follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines, which cover everything from spam and external links to misinformation and hate speech. YouTube is a massive platform, though, with 2 billion monthly active users and more than 500 hours of content added every minute….
When you open your email client, type a message, and hit “send” it seems so easy. You don’t think about all the processes taking place in the background or security checks being run on your outgoing mail. Most of the time, you don’t even wonder if your message will make it to the recipient, or…
You finally did it–you hit all of the markers for acceptance in the YouTube Partner program, and you began monetizing your videos. But you live in constant fear of demonetization. You’ve worked so hard toward earning on YouTube. How can you keep demonetization at bay? Initially, you may have seen the YouTube money trickle in–you…
If we were to broadcast our individual search history, the results could prove confusing, if not downright embarrassing. We may not be searching for anything particularly scandalous, but even still, the heat of shame may redden our cheeks. A scroll through a week of one person’s internet searches could reveal “Fusion Theory” and “How to…
A VPN can be a staple in your online security. It masks your IP address to keep your internet identity safe. Protecting your IP address helps keep your network secure and can keep your online activities private. Can you use a VPN on all of your devices? Just about! You may want to use your…
If you’ve ever wanted to access location-blocked content with your PS5, you’ve probably noticed that you can’t use VPN apps on your PlayStation. While Sony discourages users from using VPNs by not making them available in the PlayStation store, there are still ways to use a VPN with your PlayStation console. This guide covers two…
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched nearly every aspect of our lives and caused ripple effects that will continue for years to come. Many consider the economic damage as one of these knock-on effects, but it may not be the biggest threat to come out of the pandemic. What could concern us the most in the…
We’ve all gotten used to the apps and websites that help us run our lives. While they do make things more convenient, they’re also collecting huge amounts of our data. You may have accepted the fact that you have to give up some personal info to use your favorite apps and services. But you should…
More and more, apps and services are using our locations to deliver information to us. Triggering alerts, ads, or notifications based on geographic location is known as geofencing. And you’ve likely encountered it at least once today. Most of the time, it’s harmless. It can even be helpful, like when you use a child location…
In recent years, AI face-swapping apps, also known as “deep fake” apps have become hugely popular. Users can swap out their face with a celebrity, put their face in a premade video, or swap faces with friends. While these apps were created for harmless fun, they’ve raised many concerns about data privacy, spreading disinformation, and…
Are you suspicious that your computer is infected with malware? Microsoft has a built-in program that runs a malware scan on your PC for free. It’s incredibly simple, and it keeps your computer safe. In the past, Windows Security had a reputation for being useless, but now it’s on par with Avast and Kaspersky. In…
Have you ever wondered if someone is spying on you through your iCloud account? That’s exactly what happened to Britney Spears when her father Jamie hired a security firm to set up a way to spy on her through iCloud. Because Jamie Spears had Britney’s Apple ID password, he was easily able to gain access…
The Internet would look vastly different without JavaScript. This programming language powers things like audio and video players, infinite scrolling, and chat boxes. It lets your favorite websites look the way they do. That all may sound innocent, but JavaScript has a dark side too. With the tracking features that JavaScript enables, sometimes it’s better…
When it comes to using a password manager, being fully committed to keeping your information safe doesn’t really help if your partner isn’t on board. After all, you may be storing your credit card information securely while your spouse is recklessly saving it to every random website they order from. And what about your kids?…
Are you ready to sell or give away your iPhone so you can get a new one or switch to Android? If you can find the right buyer, you’re typically able to get much more than your phone’s trade-in value. Or perhaps you know of someone who needs a new phone and you’re willing to…
WordPress powers over 40 percent of the web. The user-friendly content management system allows non-web developers to create and run websites, through the use of plugins. WordPress plugins let you add functionalities and features to a website without having to know how to code. They can be immensely useful but they can also slow down…
If you’re worried about webcam spies or cyber hackers obtaining your most confidential information, your paranoia is well-founded. You know this is a serious issue when even Mark Zuckerberg himself put a piece of tape over the camera on his own computer: Let’s take a closer look: So why the growing concern about hackers and…
How often do websites ask you for your location? Probably more often than you think. By changing just one setting in your web browser, you can prevent websites from accessing your location (and stop those annoying pop-ups from your browser asking for permission to share your location). This guide covers how to turn off location…
You can have the most secure device, be committed to cybersecurity, and still get hacked. Why? It could be simple changes you didn’t make to your router when you got it. Or web beacon. When your cable company or ISP sets up your Internet they’re rushing to finish up and head to their next client….
Considering how much information Amazon tracks from your Alexa device it’s not surprising that these devices might be hack-worthy. See how smart devices pose a smart check threat.
A TV that records your conversations, a refrigerator that sends your grocery list to third-party advertisers, and a thermostat that taps into your home WiFi network — it’s no surprise = smart devices are a huge privacy invasion. Many of these gadgets, especially smart TVs, come with default settings that pry into your personal life…
Online shopping has grown tremendously in the last decade, especially in 2020. Digital Commerce 360 estimated that ecommerce in the U.S. grew by a whopping 44% in 2020 compared to 2019. More online shopping has led to more cybercrime directed at online retailers as well. Tech company Red Points surveyed 150 U.S. ecommerce brands in…
Working from home has become the new normal for many people across the world. While you can attend meetings in your pajamas and the commute is about 30 seconds, there are challenges and downsides to setting up your office or workstation at home. One of the biggest challenges for remote workers so far has been…
GPS tracking on kids’ phones isn’t new. Apps like Family Tracker and Find My Kids allow parents to see the GPS location of their children’s smartphones at all times. Many parents consider this kind of tracking necessary, so they can be sure of their child’s whereabouts. Some kids are fine with being tracked as well….
If you’ve ever wanted to avoid shelling out your cash for a proprietary software like Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop, then you’ve no doubt considered downloading an open-source alternative. Depending on your needs, open-source software can be a better choice for you than a proprietary software — the quality and development may both be on…
New Linux users might feel intimidated by the choice of Linux distributions available — there are literally thousands of options. How can you tell the great distros from the shoddy ones? To help you navigate this endless sea of Linux distros, we’ve made a list of the seven best distributions for new Linux users to…
Modern life requires a lot of mental capacity to remember dozens of user IDs and passwords. You end up with random post-it notes you can’t seem to find. You’re constantly getting blocked from your own accounts because you can’t remember the genius string of letters and numbers that was so good you forgot it. So,…
We all get frustrated with Windows or macOS sometimes. But as these operating systems dominate the computing world, do you really have another option? Yes! You can use Linux instead. It’s free, open-source, customizable, and secure. It has several advantages over Windows and macOS, but it also has a bit of a learning curve for…
Twenty years ago, Linux was an operating system that only super-savvy techies used. Today, Linux has become so user-friendly that anyone can benefit from it. If you’re a Windows or macOS user and you’re tired of putting up with some of the quirks of these operating systems, you might be ready to switch to Linux….
Never before has the performance of your internet connection meant so much than it does now. It’s important to know how to get a faster internet connection.
The Internet of Things, or IoT, has become one of the most convenient—and dangerous—ways for consumers to connect to the Internet. IoT is the network of devices, or “things,” that communicate and send data via the Internet. When people refer to IoT devices, they’re typically leaving out smartphones, tablets, and computers. IoT more commonly refers…
(Don’t Worry. You Have One.) Most of the time, technical terms can be…well, just too technical for the average Joe with a computer. User Agent, or UA, is one such term. A User Agent is any computer application or system that helps you get onto the internet and access online content. User agents include web…
The best VPNs for torrenting offer fast speeds to let you download torrent files without any issues. They also don’t keep logs, which grants you complete anonymity without worrying about copyright trolls or being blocked by your ISP.
Here are your options. Pick one or all. In a previous Q&A article, You ARE Backing Up Your Computer…Right?, we covered the ins-and-outs of backing up the important information on your computer. Most people are confused about what it means—or takes—to back up their data files. Well, it’s not that complicated. Start small, with the…
In reality, most people are likely confused by what it means. There’s a survey done annually that asks a few thousand people “how often do you back up your computer?” In 2015, 25% of the people surveyed indicated they had never backed up their computer. However, there’s a general feeling by most computer experts, consultants…
There are a lot of things people can do online that aren’t legal. Downloading pirated movies, for example, is one of them. Many people have heard about VPNs, or virtual private networks. They know using a VPN can hide their IP address, masking a person’s actual location. And it works! If you’re in New York…
Over the past 15 years or so, the problem with overwhelming spam—countless unwanted and unrequested emails—has lessened for the most part. Before anti-spam software became commonplace, spammers could flood our email inboxes with their messages. Now, the wave of spam has been slowed down. Thank you, anti-spam software. Here’s a look at how a coordinated…
We most likely agree that online ads can be irritating and sometimes downright obtrusive to our browsing experience. So, it’s only natural that, if we could, we would somehow minimize seeing ads, if not somehow get rid of them altogether. An ad blocker does exactly that. It prevents pop-up ads, auto-play videos and other annoying…
You’ll be amazed at what can happen. The more you learn about why people want to hide their IP addresses, the more you should be convinced to give it a try yourself. Just in case you’re new to this topic, there are more than a few reasons you might want to hide your IP addresses…
The typical office worker spends an average of 45+ hours a week at work…or on work. And these days, with everything being networked and accessible, most of that time is spent working on the company computer. Of course, many companies today like providing laptops and even tablets to their employees so they can take their…
Part two of a three-part story. This is the second installment of our series about how easy it is for you to get hacked when using the free Internet at a coffee shop or airport. In Part One, we saw how a hacker (Mr. H.) was able to see the Internet activity of others at…
Let’s play word association, just like when a psychologist asks you what comes to mind when you hear certain words: What do you think when you hear the words “Opera. Safari. Chrome. Firefox.” If you think of the Broadway play version of “The Lion King,” maybe it is time to see a psychologist. However, if…
The anonymous Internet is not as scary as you think. What is being “anonymous” online? It doesn’t mean that you don’t have an identity online. For the everyday computer user, it simply means a few things: That you can go online to any website and you won’t be blocked because of your IP address. That…
A Web beacon is a hidden, transparent, but nonetheless “graphic” image that finds its way onto your computer. They’re small “objects” that are embedded into a webpage or an email and are “activated” when you visit the site or open the email. Web beacons are placed on a website or in an email and they…
How to prevent your smartphone from being hacked What are the signs that your phone has been hacked? Today’s smartphones can do MORE than computers did 30 years ago, and can do more than some of today’s laptops, at least in terms of versatility. That’s great news for those of us who have active online…
Has your computer been moving slower than normal? There may be a reason—malicious software. When the performance of our hardware begins to behave unusually, our default reaction is to think that it’s a virus. Though a virus is always a possibility, more often than not the issue is a specific type of infection known as…
Your browser is your gateway to the World Wide Web but it’s also how hackers, drive-by downloaders, and other malicious actors can get into your computer. Installing security-focused browser extensions that block pop-up advertisements and completely encrypt website traffic from being monitored or tracked will definitely increase your privacy—and may even speed up your browser….
How to Prevent a Stolen Laptop (or Stolen Phone) and the Data on It While many criminals today are finding ways to steal information from the comfort of their home by using malware, there still exists the thief who seeks the thrill of the touch—the touch of your phone or laptop, that is. The sad…
Did you know there are a handful of steps you can take today that can help you protect your browser and your personal information? Many of the things you can do involve changing the privacy menu settings/options on the Internet browsers you use or your favorite social media websites. Those options have been there all…
Whether your portable computer is new or a few years old, following a few tried and true laptop-tips can help it last for years. Having a laptop is more convenient for most active people than being tied to a desk with an unportable computer. Students, novelists, salespeople and entrepreneurs rely on their laptops to do…
Much like the famous LoJack for cars, LoJack for Laptops does nothing until needed; that is, when you report your laptop’s theft the company’s recovery experts start the recovery process. Over 100 devices are lost or stolen every minute and more than 12,000 laptops disappear weekly from U.S. airports alone. According to the Computer Security…
Kodi is free, open-source, home theater software that turns any computer, smartphone or tablet into a digital set-top box or streamer. Kodi acts as a playable media library that not only stores and plays media files, but also intuitively organizes information on its own. That is, when you add movies you own, Kodi will download…
What do you mean I have two IP addresses? One day, as you’re poking around your computer’s networking preferences or maybe hooking up a new router, you might suddenly become aware of an interesting bit of information. There are two different IP addresses involved with you’re getting online and connected to the world. There’s the…
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is essential for anyone who wants more security on the Internet because it addresses the top three online concerns: security, privacy, and anonymity. Along those lines, a VPN kill switch is a feature you want on your Virtual Private Network. It helps ensure your IP address isn’t accidentally and unexpectedly…
Hey, Mom—you know how Uncle Steve gave me his old desktop to use when I started high school? Well, it works for school stuff just fine, but there’s a bit of a problem, at least in my eyes. That’s because the computer just doesn’t let me do other things I really want to do. You…
From the beginning, computers had games you could play. Today, PC-based games have become more sophisticated because of the technological advances in computer chips, animation software, and computer hardware. Even though you can play many of today’s games on today’s new computers, to play the more sophisticated games, and to get more out of your…
DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line, and it’s one of the many technologies used to bring an Internet connection and information into homes and businesses. What makes DSL unique is that it uses existing telephone lines/connections, with special adaptations. DSL started to become popular in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early days of the…
Hard drive. Memory stick. Keyboard. Monitor. Those are all pretty straightforward and well-known computer terms. And then there’s the dongle. Yes, dongle. It must be the strangest name since the “scuzzy” port/connector from days past, which derived from “SCSI” (Small Computer System Interface). The word dongle has been around for a long time, but its…
Over a decade ago, someone estimated that there were 70 million computer crashes every day around the world. 70 million! And that doesn’t even factor in other dangers to your devices, like theft, ransomware, or getting dropped on a hard surface or into water. If something like this happened to your phone or computer, how…
What you should know about viruses, malware, IP impersonators, and more. Have you ever had a computer suddenly go bad on you? Maybe the programs just froze all the time, or maybe you could no longer go on the Internet without a lot of strange things happening? You may have thought it turned to the…
Please be aware that the use of proxy servers without the express permission from the owner of the proxy server may be illegal in some states and/or countries. Use them at your own risk. Use your favorite search engine and search for ‘proxy server list’. You’ll find many sites with lists of servers, their IP…
Sometimes technical terms are both misleading and confusing. Here’s an example: user-agent. It sounds as if it could be someone who represents your rights as a computer user. But it’s not. Or maybe it’s what you call a spy for a software company that tracks your online behavior. But that’s not correct either. The fact…
Here’s a beginner’s guide to what’s being called the Internet “anonymizer.” If you surveyed most of your friends and associates and asked them what is personally important to them while using the Internet, they might use one of the following words: Speed Security Access Privacy Anonymity What do you think they would say is the…
The cloud came out of nowhere. Just like that, it seems, the term “the cloud” was part of computer and Internet talk, everyday jargon that we all understood. Today, you see it advertised in mostly business magazines and newspapers, such as the Wall Street Journal; but also you hear it more and more on commercials…
You should know that there are some things you can control—and that you likely don’t know about—that will affect your personal Internet experience for the better. One change to consider is whether to switch the default DNS service your Internet Service Provider (ISP) uses. Here’s what that means: DNS stands for “Domain Name System.” A…
Be the champion and wrangle a promotion out of it. Companies are in the business of making money through selling products and services. But the way companies operate today primarily revolves around having a strong online presence and having networks and servers to run day-to-day operations. Even some of the biggest companies with massive IT…
About this article: A special report revealed that thousands of routers had security flaws, and router companies weren’t doing anything about it. A router manufacturer won’t do much to fix a flaw for older routers. Even if a fix is available, consumers often don’t know about it—or even know what steps to take. It might…
These days, most spam emails get caught by your email provider’s spam filter. Every once in a while, you’ll get a stray spam email that shows up in your inbox, but these days, the biggest complaint people have about spam is an overactive filter, not an underactive one! So why bother reporting at all? There…
Chances are you aren’t aware that you can take steps to change how you connect to the Internet—without changing your Internet Service Provider. It has to do with deciding to switch the “DNS” service that you use to help you connect to the Internet. But why would anyone want to do this? Along the way,…
Symantec PC Anywhere is a software program that allows for the remote access of a computer. Like in any connection there is a client and a host, and both must have the software installed for the remote access to be possible. The connection is made by the client computer to the host computer via the…
It’s not uncommon for today’s typical computer user to have more than 25 passwords for connecting to different websites…or even more. Some heavy-duty Internet users have hundreds of accounts that require passwords. It’s not that uncommon. How many online accounts that require a password do you have? More importantly, do you use the same password…
There are plenty of us who don’t know that much about computers, other than how to use them. With some luck, maybe the last computer you purchased (or was purchased for you) is still working. However, once it’s time to go shopping for a new computer, it can get a little nerve-racking if you haven’t…
Netflix has become a household name for the digital natives and nomads of today because there are few creature comforts — like a library of your favorite movies and TV shows – that you can bring with you and have access to anywhere in the world with a click of a mouse. If you go…
The definition of Network Address Translation Network Address Translation (NAT) is a service that is used in routers. Its purpose is to translate a set of IP addresses to another set of IP addresses. If you are viewing this article on the internet on the WIMIA website, there’s a very good chance that you are…
Your desktop computer died and you realize that it’s time to get a new one, maybe even a laptop, because of all the traveling you do. So you go into a computer store to see what’s available—and it’s then you realize that you have some key decisions to make. What brand, what model, whether it…
Learn what an internet service provider is and how to shop for the right one for your home or office.
Integrated Service Digital Network, or ISDN, is the original high-speed internet service. It sparked the high-speed internet development between service providers during the 1990s and, of course, revolutionized internet use. Much like its predecessor, the dial-up internet service, ISDN utilizes a phone line. In fact, it set the standard for telephone data service. ISDN internet…
Sometimes you just need a little privacy online. You wouldn’t probably admit to engaging in some online activity that you don’t want others to see, especially if they use the same computer you do, after you…or if you share a computer. That list of others includes your spouse or significant other, your children, your boss,…
We don’t all get the same number of emails. It varies from person to person depending on, for example, how many friends you have, how often you shop online and how many “subscriptions” you have to websites and more. And that doesn’t include all of the work-related emails you also might get every day. That’s…
As you probably know by now, the IT (Internet technology) world is full of acronyms and abbreviations that aren’t easy to understand and still not common knowledge. I mean, most people know that ATM stands for automated teller machine and PIN means personal identification number to use an ATM. And even if you don’t know…
How many websites do you visit a day? Which are your favorites? Do you go there for business, research, financial help, or pure pleasure? Tens of millions of new websites are created every year. That means you not only have the privilege to go where your heart desires, but you could even jump in and…
During the 1990s, the term “hacker” originally denoted a skilled programmer proficient in machine code and computer operating systems. In particular, these individuals could always hack on an unsatisfactory system to solve problems and engage in a little software company espionage by interpreting a competitor’s code. Unfortunately, some of these hackers also became experts at…
File Transfer Protocol, FTP, is a still-used and somewhat popular protocol for uploading and downloading files, usually those that are too big and would take too long to download via a regular email program as an attachment. Technically, it is a “File Transfer Utility” that is one of the many TCP/IP (Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)…
A firewall is a security device that can be a software program or a dedicated network appliance. The main purpose of a firewall is to separate a secure area from a less secure area and to control communications between the two. Firewalls can perform a variety of other functions, but are chiefly responsible for controlling…
The great thing about PCs (non-Apple/Macintosh computers) is that they’re relatively inexpensive, operate a boatload of programs and there are plenty of makers and styles to choose from. You can buy a desktop, laptop or even a combination PC/tablet. But after a while, all PCs can start to show their age and suffer some wear…
When computers communicate over the Internet, the send messages to each other in a manner much like the postal service and just like your local mail man, the computer needs to know which address to send your information to – this takes the form of an IP Address and will look something like “216.239.59.99”. For…
Every time you visit a website, you are interacting with the largest distributed database in the world. This massive database is collectively known as the DNS, or the Domain Name System. Without it, the Internet as we know it would be unable to function. The work that the DNS does happens so seamlessly and instantaneously…
Dialup internet service is a service that allows connectivity to the internet through a standard telephone line. By connecting the telephone line to the modem in your computer and inserting the other end into the phone jack, and configuring the computer to dial a specific number provided by your internet service provider (ISP) you are…
Find Out Before You Have to Pay Up. There’s a reason a lot of people have stopped going to movies—it’s expensive, especially in big cities. That’s the same reason why many of those people have started watching, or “streaming,” movies over the Internet. It’s easy, cheaper, and you don’t have to buy a bucket of…
Technology is great…when it works just the way it’s supposed to. But when something goes wrong with your computer—maybe it slows down or you can’t get an Internet connection—you can curse the computer age because now you can’t get anything done. Very few of us know how to fix computers, but it’s worse for computer…
Are you and your computer on a first-name basis? That is to say, did you know your computer has a name if it’s on a network? Fact is, every computer on a network has both a name and an IP address. (On a network, your computer is referred to as a “host.”) Why a name…
It wasn’t an April Fool’s joke or the usual cute media stunt pulled by tech companies every April 1st. Cloudflare’s launch of its first consumer product — 1.1.1.1 – is real, and claims to be the “Internet’s fastest, privacy-first consumer DNS service”. The decision to launch on April 1 was a geeky play on the…
Using the “Cloud” Makes It Easy to Get Your Files Anywhere, at Any Time. For some computer users, especially those over the age of 40, technology can seem a little scary…or at least “unsafe.” Sometimes the new, fast and “digital” way of doing something doesn’t seem as safe as the old way. For instance, there…
CAPTCHA: It’s a Way to Distinguish Machines from Men… and Women Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart is quite a mouthful to say isn’t it? So let’s stick with the acronym: CAPTCHA (pronounced “KAPT-chuh”). CAPTCHA, as the explanation of the acronym implies, determines whether an online request or submission is…
Don’t Let Vendors Sell You Hacker-Friendly Technology Take these steps to be “security smart” when buying technology Before you invest in new technology, especially with a new vendor or manufacturer, you need to make sure you’re not inadvertently purchasing a problem just waiting to happen. This is especially important if the devices, gadgets and systems…
Even though smartphones and tablet sales continue to grow, most people still want to have either a computer at home or a laptop they can take wherever they go. If it’s time to replace your old computer or get a new one for a family member, it’s a good idea to brush up on what…
Every time you visit a website, your internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.), saves a copy of every page that you visit. This list of web pages – and associated data like title page as well as time and date of visit – forms your Web Browsing History. The web browser software does this…
Every time you go online from your computer, your browser saves a copy of every page that you visit. That’s right: Your computer and Internet browser—whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or something else—keep track of where you’ve been and a history of what pages you’ve seen. That’s not something they’re hiding from you…
Broadband internet service is the most used form of internet access because of its high access speeds. Broadband comes in four different forms: These are simply different ways the internet is delivered to your home. The old dial-up connection (which does still exist) is the only non-broadband internet service available. While it is cheaper, most…
Bypass content restrictions, Netflix blocks and government censorship with a VPN. What a VPN is and how it works A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an online service that can help bypass internet restrictions, allowing you to view the content you want. First, a VPN takes the Internet connection you’re on—whether your home connection or…
This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their ‘Personally Identifiable Information’ (PII) is being used online. PII, as described in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context.
Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website.
What personal information do we collect from the people that visit our blog, website or app?
How We Protect Your Information
WhatIsMyIPAddress.com would like to inform You how We protect Your privacy and use information We collect via this Website. This Privacy Policy is an agreement between You and CGP Holdings, Inc. d/b/a WhatIsMyIPAddress.com (hereinafter “WhatIsMyIPAddress”). Please read the terms of this Privacy Policy carefully.
If You do not agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy You may not use Our Website.
We may amend, add to, change, or modify the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy from time to time. Such amendments will be posted at this Webpage, and will take effect when posted. By continuing to use Our Website, or registering for a Forum Account on Our Community Forum, You agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy and any amendments thereto. You further agree to the use of Your “Personally Identifiable Information” by Us in the manner specified in this Privacy Policy.
Each time You use the Website, the then-current version of this Privacy Policy will apply. Accordingly, each time You use the Website, You should check the date of this Privacy Policy (at the bottom of this page) and review any changes since the last time You used the Website. Although most changes are likely minor, WhatIsMyIPAddress.com reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy by posting such modification on this page; however, if changes are significant, WhatIsMyIPAddress.com may provide a more prominent notice. Unless WhatIsMyIPAddress.com obtains Your express consent, any revised Privacy Policy will apply only to information collected after the effective date of such revised Privacy Policy, and not to information collected under any earlier Privacy Policy.
We will never share Your personal information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy.
Capitalized terms not defined in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in WhatIsMyIPAddress.com’s Website Terms of Service located at terms of use. This Privacy Policy is only applicable to the Website and not to any websites of third-parties, which may have data collection, storage, and use practices and policies that differ materially from this Privacy Policy.
a. NON-PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION
When You visit Our Website, We may collect some basic Non-Personally Identifiable Information about You. We collect non-personally identifiable information about You in a number of ways, including tracking Your activities through Your IP address, computer settings, or most-recently visited URL.
Non-Personally Identifiable Information is collected in order to provide You with satisfactory service and to improve Our Website. We may use the information to detect problems with Our server and to administer Our Website. In addition, Non-Personally Identifiable Information is compiled by Us and analyzed on an aggregate basis. We may sell, trade, rent, or transfer Non-Personally Identifiable Information to third-parties.
By using this Website, You agree to the publication of Your IP address on this Website.
Our Website is a location-aware website. When using Our Website, We may ask You to share information about Your location. If You voluntarily agree to share that information with Us, We will collect that information from nearby wireless access points and Your computer’s IP address. We may sell that information to third-parties.
If You do not agree to share information about Your location with Us, We will not collect such information.
b. PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION
We do not collect any Personally Identifiable Information about You unless You voluntarily submit such information to Us, by, for example, agreeing to share Your location or registering for a Forum Account with Our Community Forum. This information lets Us know the specifics of who You are and can be used to identify, contact, or locate You.
Personally Identifiable Information may consist of: Your name, address, telephone number, email address, birth date, etc. By providing Us with Personally Identifiable Information, You consent to Our use of that information.
We do not sell, trade, rent, or transfer Personally Identifiable Information to third-parties.
To serve You better, We may combine Personally Identifiable Information You give Us online. We may also combine that information with publicly available information about You that We may receive from third-parties.
We may contract with third-party companies or persons to provide certain services including data management, service of Our Website, etc. (“Service Providers”).
We provide our Service Providers with the information needed for them to perform these services.
Your Forum Account is password protected from third-parties. Your password is securely stored in Our database and cannot be retrieved. In the event that Your password is forgotten, You may reset Your password by visiting the login page and clicking “I forgot my password” and following the instructions to reset Your password.
You may edit Your Personal Information or account settings at any time by visiting the User Control Panel after a successful login to Your Forum Account.
Our Community Forum is powered by phpBB, which is a bulletin board solution released under the “GNU General Public License v2” and can be downloaded from www.phpbb.com. The phpBB software only facilitates Internet based discussions; phpBB is not responsible for what We allow and/or disallow as permissible content and/or conduct. For further information about phpBB, please see: https://www.phpbb.com/.
By creating a Forum Account, You are required to create a personal profile, which may include personal information. Personal information contained in personal profiles is available and accessible to other Community Forum members and visitors. The Community Forum contains features that permit You to upload, post, transmit, display, perform or distribute content, information, or personal information. Any information that You choose to disclose by means of such features becomes public information over which WhatIsMyIPAddress.com is unable to exercise control. You should exercise caution when deciding to disclose Your personal information by means of such features, and You agree to assume all responsibility for doing so.
By creating a Forum Account, You also consent to receive email communications, including email and private messages, from other Community Forum members. You may edit Your settings in Your Forum Account to disallow other Community members from contacting You by email or sending You private messages. To edit these settings, please access the User Control Panel and click on the “Board Preferences” tab.
You have the ability to delete and control Cookies. If You do not wish to have Cookies placed on Your computer, You should set Your browsers to refuse Cookies before accessing the Website, with the understanding that certain Services and features of the Website may not function properly without the aid of Cookies. If You refuse Cookies, You assume all responsibility for any resulting loss of functionality.
You can learn more about how to delete or control cookies at www.aboutcookies.org.
Some of Our Service Providers may employ clear GIFs (also known as pixel tags, single pixel GIFs, web beacons or action tags) for Our benefit to help Us measure advertising effectiveness.
Clear GIFs help Us better manage content on Our Website by informing Us of what content is effective. Clear GIFs are tiny graphics with a unique identifier, similar in function to cookies, and are used to track the online movements of Our users.
The main difference between the two is that clear GIFs are invisible on the page and are much smaller, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Clear GIFs are not tied to Your Personally Identifiable Information.
Our Service Providers may use clear GIFs: (i) in HTML based emails to determine which emails have been opened by recipients; and (ii) to track the visitor traffic on Our Website.
These clear GIFs allow Us to measure the usage of Our Website by Our visitors and the effectiveness of certain communications and marketing campaigns. We may also use clear GIFs in a similar manner in Our own emails and on Our Website.
Clear GIFs can “work with” existing cookies on a computer if they are both from the same website or advertising company. That means, for example, that if a person visited “www.companyX.com”, which uses an advertising company’s clear GIF, the Website would match the clear GIFs identifier and the advertising company’s cookie ID number, to show the past online behavior for that computer.
This collected information can be shared with the advertising company. We may provide such information to our Service Providers but that information can only be used by our Service Providers for Our benefit.
To opt-out of interest-based advertising please visit http://optout.networkadvertising.org/#!/
This Site is affiliated with Publisher First, Inc. dba Freestar (“Freestar”) for the purposes of placing certain advertising on the Site, and Freestar will collect and use certain data for advertising purposes. To learn more about Freestar’s data usage, click here.
Unfortunately, to the extent that such information is also stored in other databases, We cannot always ensure that such corrections or deletions will reach the other databases. We will use all reasonable efforts to ensure that Your information is removed from or corrected in Our records.
If We are served with a subpoena for personal information of a user, We will provide notice to the user whose personal information is sought by the subpoena to give them the opportunity to object to the subpoena. If the user does not object to the subpoena within a specified period of time, We will comply with the terms of the subpoena. Should the user object to the subpoena in a court of law, We will abide by whatever decision is reached by such court of law.
However, despite all reasonable security precautions and processes, such as password protection, encryption technology, and use of firewall technology, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.
As a result, while We strive to protect Your Personally Identifiable Information, We cannot guarantee or warrant the security of any information You transmit to or from Our Website, and You do so at Your own risk. Once We receive Your transmission, We will take reasonable precautions to protect its security on Our systems.
If You create a Forum Account with WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, Your password will be Your personal, secret entry code to Our Community Forum. When You access Your account information, it is kept on a secure server and a password is needed to access any account areas.
You can change Your password as many times as You like. We recommend that You keep Your password in a safe place and that You always sign off Your account and close Your browser window once You have finished Your visit.
These precautions will help prevent someone else from accessing Your account, especially if You share a computer with other people or use a computer in a public place such as an Internet cafe or library.
It is the policy of WhatIsMyIPAddress.com not to collect Personally Identifiable Information on any person under the age of 13 and We request that any person under age 13 not submit any Personally Identifiable Information via Our Website. If WhatIsMyIPAddress.com obtains actual knowledge that it has collected Personally Identifiable Information from a child under the age of 13, WhatIsMyIPAddress.com will immediately delete such information from its database. WhatIsMyIPAddress.com has designed this Privacy Policy in order to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
We respect your Privacy.
Don’t want to share your email?
DOWNLOAD anonymously