8 Valuable Tips for Inexperienced Internet Users (Security & Productivity Tips)

People spend a lot of their time on the internet, but not all of them make the most out of the World Wide Web, especially if they lack the experience of those who have just started using cell phones or computers.

Sure, like with other things, it takes time to get used to the internet and discover what it has to offer. However, if you are not too keen to let things develop naturally and would like to accelerate the process of learning to use the internet, these eight tips should come in handy.

Let’s get started. These tips will improve your productivity and will also help you stay safe and secure on the Internet.

1. Protect Your WiFi Password

The first thing to consider is protecting your WiFi password. If you make your network accessible to everyone, expect to get unwanted devices to join, which will drain the internet speed.

Valuable Tips for Inexperienced Internet Users

In case you are worried about forgetting your WiFi password, write it on a piece of paper. It is also worth pointing out that there are other methods to recover a WiFi password.

For example, if you have a MacBook and ask yourself, Can I see my wifi password on my Mac if I forget it? the answer is yes. Use a keychain or terminal to access the WiFi password.

2. Try Different Internet Browsers

Many internet beginners stick to default internet browsers that they find on their devices. For macOS, there is Safari, while Windows users will find Edge or Internet Explorer.

Having said that, default internet browsers are not necessarily the best for one’s needs. You may want to switch to an alternative browser. For example, the likes of Opera and TOR are known for their privacy and security, whereas Google Chrome has a plethora of neat extensions.

Since internet browsers are free, you are free to try them and decide which one is the best. Keeping multiple options on the device is also a good approach.

3. Switch to an Ethernet Cable

Relying on a WiFi connection might lead to problems. WiFi is not as reliable as an Ethernet cable because there is a chance of third-party peripherals jamming the signal. Moreover, moving away from the router will weaken the signal.

Ethernet cable hack

Sure, for mobile devices, you will need to use WiFi, but if you are on a computer and can plug in an Ethernet cable, it is recommended to do that. 

4. Use Browser Extensions

Inexperienced internet users do not utilize browser extensions as much as they should. Of course, it is important to note that installing too many extensions will hinder the browser’s performance, so take note of not cluttering it with redundant extensions.

Instead, check what extensions are available and what you believe to be the most useful. For instance, if you are fed up with online ads, you can get an ad blocker extension. If you write a lot but have some problems with grammar and make typos, Grammarly could come in handy.

5. Avoid Shady Links

Avoiding questionable links on the internet is one of the key rules when you want to protect yourself. There are plenty of instances of people opening an attachment or a random URL that they receive in an email only to infect the device with malware or encounter other issues.

Avoid Shady Links Tips

Even if you receive a message from someone you know, be alert and ignore it so long as the contents are suspicious. There is no real need to risk it because you may run into cybersecurity threats that are too challenging for the antivirus software that you have on your device.

6. Add Bookmarks

Browsing history exists to see pages that you visited, but it is not always enough to remember a site’s name. If you encounter an internet page that you would like to check later, bookmark it. 

Bookmarks will not disappear even if you switch to a new device, as you can sync them with your email account and access the contents on a new computer.

7. Enable Dark Mode

More and more websites are implementing dark mode. Keep that in mind when you are surfing the web at night so that you do not hurt your eyes as much.

Of course, it is worth pointing out that dark mode is available not just on individual websites. If you are on a smartphone, you can enable the dark mode on the device instead of relying on a website to have the feature.

For computer users, it is a bit different. While there are some dark mode extensions for a browser, they are not as reliable as a dark mode on a smartphone or tablet.

8. Try a Virtual Private Network

In case you run into geo-restricted content issues using streaming platforms or playing video games, remember that you can change your IP address and location with a virtual private network.

The service also improves overall security and privacy online as it encrypts data and makes it difficult for potential hackers to access and attack your device.

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Ashwin S

A cybersecurity enthusiast at heart with a passion for all things tech. Yet his creativity extends beyond the world of cybersecurity. With an innate love for design, he's always on the lookout for unique design concepts.