Until recently, I rarely used "incognito" or "private" browsing mode when using Safari or Chrome. I felt I didn't need to; I didn't see any reason to hide what I was doing online.
HOWEVER, after reading a recent article I've decided this is a valuable tool and something you may want to consider using.
What is "incognito" or "private" browsing?
When doing this, your browser will not save the history, cookies and site data and information entered in forms. Be cognizant though that your activity might still be viewable by the websites, your employer, or your internet service provider. It does not totally "hide" your activity from the world.
How to browse privately?
On your computer:
Go to the File menu in your browser and select New Incognito Window (Chrome) or File - New Private Window (Safari). When this new window opens you will be alerted that you are using incognito or private browsing mode and it will "look" dark.
On your phone or mobile device:
1) Open your browser and then open a new page and choose "New Incognito Tab" or "Private". This process will vary based on the device you are using.
What are the advantages to browsing privately?1) Have you ever shopped for a gift or purchase online and found that you later see "pop-ups" on other webpages, especially Facebook, that encourage you to go back and make that purchase? If you use incognito or private browsing that will not happen. This may also be beneficial if you have been shopping for a gift and you don't want others in your house to see these ads.
2) Have you every shopped for airline tickets or even other items online that seem to increase in price when you return the site at a later time? Yep, they now know you are interested and raise the price. Incognito or private browsing will eliminate that happening.
3) This mode will also remove "auto-fill" suggestions when you are browsing. That means if you have searched YouTube for a video on how to put in a new water filter in your refrigerator that every time thereafter it will not try to direct you to that topic by "filling in" your previous search.
So, give it some thought. I think it is a tool worth remembering and the way it becomes part of your "tool chest" is to use it occasionally!
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
A Need for Speed
Our use of the internet has gone beyond mere browsing. As we move from cable TV to streaming and also depend on our connection for videoconferencing with friends and family, adequate internet speed is important.
Have you ever checked your connectivity speed? Are you getting the speed for which you're paying? Are there some places in your home that the speed declines?
There's a tool that's easy to use that will help you answer those questions. Speedtest.net In addition to the website, the Speedtest app can be downloaded and used on your phone. It takes less than a minute to check both your download and upload speeds. All you have to do is click "Go" once you're on the website or in the app.
Things to know:
*Download speed will almost always be faster than upload.
*You will rarely get the "maximum" speed promised by your ISP unless you are working on a hard-wired computer, but it should be relatively close.
*Try Speedtest in different rooms of your home. Unless you have a mesh network which Valu-Net here in Emporia now offers as their router (the Plume), speeds will vary throughout your home. Consider using the faster areas of your home for videoconferencing (Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, etc.)
If you create a free Speedtest account, the results are recorded for your reference. Those results can be reviewed and if your connection is significantly slower all the time, you can use that data to share with your internet service provider when trying to solve the problem.
It's a rainy day here in Emporia (3.5 inches in our rain gauge overnight), so while stuck inside it might be a great day to try out Speedtest!
Have you ever checked your connectivity speed? Are you getting the speed for which you're paying? Are there some places in your home that the speed declines?
There's a tool that's easy to use that will help you answer those questions. Speedtest.net In addition to the website, the Speedtest app can be downloaded and used on your phone. It takes less than a minute to check both your download and upload speeds. All you have to do is click "Go" once you're on the website or in the app.
Things to know:
*Download speed will almost always be faster than upload.
*You will rarely get the "maximum" speed promised by your ISP unless you are working on a hard-wired computer, but it should be relatively close.
*Try Speedtest in different rooms of your home. Unless you have a mesh network which Valu-Net here in Emporia now offers as their router (the Plume), speeds will vary throughout your home. Consider using the faster areas of your home for videoconferencing (Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, etc.)
If you create a free Speedtest account, the results are recorded for your reference. Those results can be reviewed and if your connection is significantly slower all the time, you can use that data to share with your internet service provider when trying to solve the problem.
It's a rainy day here in Emporia (3.5 inches in our rain gauge overnight), so while stuck inside it might be a great day to try out Speedtest!
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Yes, you should lie!
Have you ever paused to think about those security questions that are used to verify your identity if you forget a password or are working on a different computer or at a different location? You know the common ones: "What was your mother's maiden name?" "What high school did you attend?", etc.
I've always thought that if someone wanted to hack into one of my accounts that they could easily find the answers to those security questions. And, last week I read an article verifying that. So, what's the solution: lie when you create an answer.
1) Consider always choosing one or two common security questions when given a choice.
2) Create a common answer that has nothing to do with the question (a lie) and then use it every time you use that security question when creating new accounts.
Example:
Mother's maiden name: littlebluecinderella
High school attended: harvardchristian
Notice that I left out the spaces between the words.
I think you get the idea. I know you may have been taught to never lie but today I'm encouraging you to consider it......at least when it comes to creating answers for security questions.
Please write down your passwords, security questions and answers not only for yourself but also share them with another family member or trusted friend in case you unexpectedly become incapacitated.
I've always thought that if someone wanted to hack into one of my accounts that they could easily find the answers to those security questions. And, last week I read an article verifying that. So, what's the solution: lie when you create an answer.
1) Consider always choosing one or two common security questions when given a choice.
2) Create a common answer that has nothing to do with the question (a lie) and then use it every time you use that security question when creating new accounts.
Example:
Mother's maiden name: littlebluecinderella
High school attended: harvardchristian
Notice that I left out the spaces between the words.
I think you get the idea. I know you may have been taught to never lie but today I'm encouraging you to consider it......at least when it comes to creating answers for security questions.
Please write down your passwords, security questions and answers not only for yourself but also share them with another family member or trusted friend in case you unexpectedly become incapacitated.
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