Internet for Beginners

Online dating is the new normal for modern singles. Hundreds of singles websites provide channels for meeting someone special, and indeed, online dating does work. But what about those people who take advantage of the lonely, and use deception to masquerade as someone whom they're not? It's called 'catfishing', and it's a pitfall to watch for. About.com explains more about catfishing here...

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Rule 34 is both a meme and a humorous truism that claims anything on the Web somehow has pornography attached to it somewhere. Whether it is an innocent picture of world continents, your garden in the back yard, or even aircraft, Rule 34 claims that somewhere there is a sexualized version available online.

About.com explains more about Rule 34 and its alleged origins here...

Would you let an 8-year-old have your credit card? Well, that's basically the situation when you let kids play with your iPhone or iPad. You see, 'in-app' purchasing has become the sneaky standard with 'freemium' app software. If you don't pay attention, you'll rack up hundreds of dollars from your kids trying out in-app software. Here is how you can prevent this unpleasant invoice experience...

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Even with wireless technology being commonplace, cable connections are still the foundation for how the Web and Internet transmit. Your laptop and tablet and smartphone ultimately receive and send signals through some kind of a hidden wire. These wires and cables thread underneath our feet, above our heads, and in the walls. Illustrator Mary McDonald has created a useful infographic explaining the four kinds of common internetworking cables and how they work...

If you want to use public wi-fi but still be encrypted, or if you want to share files and browse the Web anonymously, then a virtual private network connection is your next step. VPN services are growing exponentially as more people choose to encrypt their online experience.   Ranging from 5 to 20 dollars per month, VPN services offer excellent benefits for users seeking privacy and cloaked access.  Here are 15 good VPN choices worth evaluating...

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Have you received offers for pharmaceuticals by email? Have you been invited to transfer 20 million dollars into your account from Nigeria? If you've been spammed by emails like this, then you have been attacked by ratware. You see, ratware is the customized software that spammers use to burst-send millions of illegal messages. And this is how spammers attack you with ratware...

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Of the three different kinds of hackers/haxors on the Web, one kind is a mixture of evil and good (so to speak).  Interestingly enough, if you tinker and dabble with your computer's contents, you might be a low-level "grey hat hacker" yourself. About.com explains grey hats and other hackers here...

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IP addresses are the vehicle license plates of the Internet. Before your tablet, smartphone, or desktop computer is allowed to surf the 'Information Superhighway', it needs to have a license plate attached to it. Sometimes these license plates are borrowed temporarily, other times they are permanently attached to your internet device. About.com explains IP addresses here...

KCCO is a modern slang acronym that has spawned in reference to 'TheChive' blog site. This new pop culture expression is a new version of 'hang loose', 'be cool' and 'live and let live'. When you spell it out, KCCO stands for...

If the Internet is the restaurant, then the World Wide Web is the most popular dish on the menu.  That's right: the Net and the Web are not the same thing. About.com explains more about how the Net and the Web are different but connected...