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Internet (101)

This will be a huge article and we just got started on it...  (Ignore √, that's just for our reference)

• Red links are just a bit beyond basics...
• External links - more information here.
• (Ignore the √'s, as they are for our purpose)

The "world wide web" encompasses millions of servers and computers, but the Internet is after all, just a large network operating under the same rules as your local network does.  Each server, computer and device connected must have it's own IP address.  See Networks for more on that.

• √ Addressbar vs. searchbar (an important distinction)

• √ Add-ins/extensions (what they are and how to get rid of the bad ones)

• √ Autocomplete/predictive addressbar

• Be careful what you click on (Both email messages and websites can conceal dangerous links)

• √ Bookmarks/Favorites vs. History

• √ Browser vs. Home/Start page

• √ Browser add-ins/add-ons/extensions can cause problems, popup ads and worse.

• Browsing "in private"

• √ Changing the search engine

• Cookies (what they are/do and cleaning up) 

• Connecting to a WIFI (Possible security issues and when you are having problems... )

• Desktop shortcuts (If you would like (handy) a shortcut for various websites on your Desktop)

• Don't believe what you see (Windows will keep your computer drivers up to date. 
  If you see a driver update is needed, it may be a scam!  See Windows Updates)

• Downloading stuff

  • Download vs. Upload

• Email (Various information about email operations, setup, etc)

• Filtering (If you have children and are concerned about Internet content, OpenDNS is offering free parental filtering that seems to work fairly nice.  You do have to signup with a name and email address, but no credit card needed)

• Free isn't necessarily free! And be careful searching the Internet...

• Goggle Chrome setting/experiments

• √ Home page vs. Browser

  • Resetting home page after a hijacking

  • Setting home page(s)

• InPrivate/Incognito (One way to surf the Internet without be tracked, leaving cookies behind, etc.)

• Internet Explorer still available in Windows 10 (instead of Edge)

  • Internet Explorer (IE) (various information)

  • Internet Explorer Options various settings that affect your Internet browser(s)

• History vs. Favorites vs. Suggested

• Other browsers, setting as default taking default status away from Windows 10 Edge

• PROBLEMS

  • Autocomplete (history) not working?

  • Cache (The internet Explorer caches pages and images to make things quicker but this may cause a problem where you will not get the most recent page)

  • DNS issues (if you click to go to a certain website but end up someplace else, your DNS settings may be compromised)

  • Hijacked?  Resetting home page after a hijacking

  • Internet Explorer processes making the computer slow?

  • EMET affecting IE performance

  • Problems at certain sites?

  • Security Certificate errors (see also deleting History in our Cookies article)

  • √ Speed issues

• Scams

• √ Searchbar what and where it is, and it is different from the addressbar

• Search Engines

• Search results and other security issues

• Settings and home page(s) 

• Suggested vs. History vs. Favorites

• Toolbars

• Windows Media Player issues

  • If you were unfortunate enough to have used the Windows Media Player (WMP) rather than iTunes for music and have moved to a new computer, you may find the WMP license is not installed.  If you attempt to play "protected" music you may get a license error and if you attempt to correct it, you may get an error page indicating you need the Internet Explorer 7 or later - even though you have IE11! - Nice going Microsoft...

• Windstream modems

  • Notes on the Annandale area modems and routers.

• Windows 10 Edge - terrible!  You can still use Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 10, or another browser like Google Chrome (another browser)  See also settings as default.

Stay safe

Review these Microsoft article on various security issues:

• Avoid tech support phone scams
• How to recognize phishing email messages, links, or phone calls
• Safe Surfing

And if you want to tighten the Internet Explorer's settings, try these...

• Fix Internet Explorer issues to make IE fast, safe and stable
  Diagnose and repair ie problems that make ie slow, not secure, unstable or crash, caused by add-ons not working or inappropriate security settings.
• Automatically fix Windows security settings to keep your PC safe
  Diagnose and fix Windows security settings for IE, Windows firewall, group policy, Registry, UAC; check Windows Update and antivirus software status.
• Fix security issues to protect and secure Windows automatically
  Diagnose and repair Windows security problems by turning on UAC, DEP protection, Windows Firewall and other Windows security options and features.

See also: Free isn't necessarily free! And be careful searching the Internet

Home page vs. browser

Occasionally when talking with customers, we have found that some do not distinguish the difference between their Internet browser and their desired home (or start) page.  These are two different things.

Browser: When you want to browse the Internet, you will use an application (program) that is installed on your computer.  This application could be one of many browsers, including: Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Windows 10's Edge, Google's Chrome, Mozilla's Firefox, Opera, Apple's Safari or others.  Links to common browsers here.

Home page:  When you initially open that application (regardless of which one), it will take you to your home page (or perhaps a blank page).  Your home page can be literally ANY web site on the Internet.  

Sometimes the home page changes and perhaps without your knowledge or permission.  Typically this occurs when various toolbars, PC "speed up" utilities or other Internet junk is installed.  My Web Search, Conduit, Babylon and Start Now are few of the more popular home page hijacks.  See Hijacked!

Be sure to just say no to all toolbars and watch out for free stuff!

Google vs. Google's Chrome

For those who are still are confused on this issue:

• Google (.com) is a website. 
• Google's Chrome is simply an application / an Internet browsers (see above).  

You can have Google (.com) as your home page for the Internet Explorer, Edge, Chrome, Firefox or any of the other browsers.  Like Ford or Chevrolet, Chrome and the other browsers are just vehicles for the superhighway.