How to Enter Private mode in Google Chrome

What is private mode? 

Private mode is a way to browse the internet without leaving any trace on the computer. All modern browsers have their own version of private mode. For Google Chrome, it is called Incognito mode. In this mode, Google Chrome will not keep track of the following: 

• Browsing History
• Cookies
• Forms Information

It is very important to keep in mind, though, that this doesn't make you 100% invisible. Your internet provider or wherever you are browsing the internet on will be able to track what you are doing. It doesn't encrypt or mask your activity; simply it doesn't store any of it on the actual computer that you are using at the moment. 

Possible scenarios

There are a number of reasons that one might want to use incognito mode. Some simply do not like their information to be stored on their computer. It is useful if you are using a public computer and you  don't want any information to be stored for someone else to see. The possibilities and scenarios are endless.

How to Enter Private Mode

When you see the Google Chrome icon, right click and select New incognito window. 

If you already have a Google Chrome window open, you can press Ctrl+Shift+N and you'll see a new window pop up. 

How to Refine a Google Search

Refine Google Search Results

Google is great tool to use. Sometimes, though, when you are looking for something really specific, it can give you too many results. Google can literally give you hundreds of thousands of search results in less than one second. If you don't find what you are looking for in the first five pages, chances are that your google search is too wide.  As you can see in the image below, searching for toys gives you a total of 3.1 BILLION results. That is quite a lot of results

If you don't find what you are looking for within the first pages, here is a quick trick on how to refine your results: 

Let's say you're looking for toys but  know you are definitely not looking for dolls or stuffed animals . Simply add the '-' next to the word that you don't want. For example you would write

"Toys -dolls -stuffed":

As you can see now, the results have been narrowed down millions! The more specific you are, the narrower your search results will be. This is good to keep in mind you never seem to find that you are looking for. 

How to Add a New Tab to Your Web Browser

How to Open a New Tab

Tabs have recently added great functionality to your web browser. Prior to tabs, there was a need to have different windows of the web browser open; resulting in a cluttered and slow user experience. 

When tabs were introduced, it added simplicity and functionality to the browser. In order to add a new, simple hit the "+" sign on top of your internet browser: 

It really is that simple. You can have as many tabs as you want open. Although, it is highly recommended to open a new windows if you're going to have more than five open at a time. It would also be a good idea to keep them in the same category.

For example, you can have one window only for media (YouTube, Pandora, Netflix) and one for productivity (Email, Calendar, Office 360).

What are Website Cookies?

What are Website Cookies?

Have you ever been shopping online, decided not to buy the item you were looking at and go to another website only to find that very same item as an ad? You can thank website cookies for that. 

Cookies are files that websites place  in your computer in order to add some personalization to your experience. The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of websites use cookies to help you have a better experience when using their website. For example, when you have cookies that keep track of what you have seen on a website, it can give you suggestions new links and information that are relevant to your interests. 

There are people that do not like the idea of being tracked. It brings a whole issue of privacy. Some people see this as an invasion of privacy; as they feel they are being spied on by big companies. 

Don't fear, the very browser you are using to read this, gives you the power to stop cookies from being stored in your computer. Keep in mind though, that a lot functionality can be stopped if you don't use cookies. Some websites completely stop working if you happen to block their cookies. 

Alternatively, you can always browse website in the PRIVACY MODE that all newer browsers have. This way, the moment you close your session, none of the information is stored in your computer.

How to Create a Strong Password

How to Create a Strong Password

The internet has become this complex, fun, and dangerous place that we all visit literally every day; even if you are only doing so to watch the latest viral video. As you already know, every single website that you frequent has some sort of account that you can create. Creating an account can help you keep track of things that you find interesting and lets you get away from all the cluttering.  

It is important to keep track of important passwords For instance, if you were to lose your password for some email you only use for getting email subscriptions would not be as devastating as losing your password for an email you use for your personal bank account. 

Things to keep in mind

1. Never a good idea to use commonly known words/dates

     example: birthdates, names, nicknames

2. Never use the same password for different accounts

3. Change your password periodically

4. Make sure you REMEMBER YOUR PASSWORD

Tips

• It is never a good idea to write down a password
• Writing it down means someone can find it
• It's good to  use variations on words you'll remember 
• for example: p@$$w0RD 
• Add different levels of security as it is required
• level 1: p@ssword  - forum for some game
• level 2: P@ssword  - email used only for email subscriptions
• level 3: P@$sword - daily email
• level 4: P@$sW0Rd - bank account or anything that can be used to make purchases
• so on and so on

Alternatives

There is software designed to keep your passwords for you. The problem with this is that if somehow someone figures out the password for this particular program, they will have access to literally all of your information. If you do chose to go that route, you will need to make sure the password for that particular program is very strong. For example: #( P@$$w0Rd)#

Ultimately, the more complex and less like a word, the harder it'll be to figure out the password. 

How To View What Version of Windows Your Computer Has

Sometimes you need to know what version of the Windows operating system you are running. It might be for software requirements or for determining if your new hardware will be compatible with your computer. For what ever the reason, here is a simple step by step guide on how to find out. 

1. Press the Start button

(Should look similar to this icon)

2. Once you see the Start menu, a  list of your program should appear

3. Immediately start typing the word computer

4. Right Click on the This PC or My Computer 

5. A new Window with the information you are looking for appears: 

Manually Restart Computer (Hard Reboot)

How to manually restart your computer/laptop

We've all been there: your computer has frozen on you, your mouse is not responding, and the keyboard seems to have been disconnected from the computer. The solution is easy.. right? Just restart the computer!

But what if you can't? Your mouse and computer are not responsive. If you have a Desktop, you can just easily unplug the computer and then plug it back in. This is not as easy if you have a laptop; specially one that doesn't have a removeable battery. 

Here is how to manually restart your computer:

1. Find your Power button

2. Press the Power button for 10 seconds

3. Wait at least 30 seconds 

4. Press the Power button again to restart the computer again

5. If you are using Windows, you might get a message asking if you want to start the computer like normal. 

6. Select to continue to boot up like normal by hitting the "Enter" button on your keyboard

Now you are done!

Your computer should be up and running like it was before you had trouble. It would be a good idea to find out why it became non-responsive in the first place. Try to recreate the situation that you were in before it happened. If it happens again after a certain program is opened, then your computer might have some issues with it. It would be a good idea to re-install the program.