Torrents: the Top Torrent Download Sites, 2012
Bittorrent swarming is the backbone of modern P2P file sharing. Terabytes of data trade hands every day using torrent trackers and 'group swarms'. At the center of it all: the Top 35 Torrent Search Engines of 2012...

Top 35 Torrent Sites of 2012
By volume of data, bittorrent file sharing is the most popular form of internet use today. Torrents have become the new backbone of P2P file sharing. At the center of this P2P frenzy: the Top 40 Torrent Search Engines of 2012.

The Best Torrent Downloading Software, 2012
Here they are: the most popular 'music pirate' downloading software products for torrent file sharing. This list is compiled from hundreds of user comments and reader suggestions.

10 Best Search Engines of 2012
With hundreds of search engines available, 10 really stand out as providing the best overall service, speed, and relevant hits. Here they are: the 10 Most Useful Search Engines of 2010...

What Is 'FTW'?
: What Is 'FTW'? What Does It Mean? While participating in an online discussion forum about cars, you

The Most Addictive Websites of 2012
Here they are: the most infectious and addictive websites of 2012. Photo blogs, online confessions, animals being cute for the camera, sarcasm and cynicism, bizarre news... there is something for everyone on this list of mesmerizing websites. Don't click here unless you have at least 30 minutes to spare...

How Torrent Downloading Works
Torrent sharing is the contemporary way to download music and movie files from the Internet. More popular than Kazaa and eDonkey, bittorrent sharing is actually quite easy to learn. Here is a 10-minute tutorial on using bittorrents.

Emoticons and Smileys 101
:p~~ I'm drooling :-O Open-mouthed, surprised :-o Surprised look, or yawn %') Finished off a fifth for

DVD +R and DVD-R 101
There is a difference between DVD+R and DVD-R media, and this article explains how. Brought to you by your About Guide to Internet for Beginners.

The Best Internet Radio, 2012
If you have highspeed internet, then definitely consider these reader favorite radio stations online. About.com lists the top Internet radio stations of 2010 here...

What Is an Internet 'Meme'?
: What Is a 'Meme'? What Are Examples of Modern Internet Memes? Related: The Top 40 Internet Memes of

The Best Hacker Movies
While none of these movies depict what hacking truly involves, each of these stories is memorable in some way as good escapist fiction. Here they are: The 30 Best Hacker Movies, as voted on by a panel of opinionated judges...

How to Spot Fake Torrents
There are always bad people who will abuse and deceive others in any system. In the case of P2P file sharing, abusive users will try to spread viruses or attempt to bilk others of cash by spreading fake torrents. Here are some tips on how to spot these fake torrent files before you download them and their embedded viruses.

Why Is My Internet So Slow?
Your ISP claims that you will get 8 megabits per second Internet download speed. But your computer seems really slow to open Web pages. Why is that? Are there some technical problems that can be fixed by a casual user? About.com explains common Internet speed problems here...

Text Talk Abbreviations, 2012
The worlds of text messaging, email, and online discussions have spawned hundreds of bizarre jargon words. The English language has indeed been kicked in the stomach, and here are the culprits of 2011: the Top Acronyms of Text Messaging and Online Chat...

What Is 'Port Forwarding'?
You hear about 'port forwarding' as a way to improve your download and game speeds, but what exactly is port forwarding? About.com explains how port forwards work, and where you can get information on configuring your own computer ports...

What Is 'HMU'?
: What Is 'HMU'? What Does HMU Mean? : "HMU" is "Hit Me Up". This acronym is used to say "contact me",

What Is 'PMSL'?
You see the expression 'PMSL' in online conversations. But what exactly does PMSL mean? About.com explains...

What Is a 'Domain Name'?
Web addressing can be so confusing. There are domain names vs. ip addresses vs. URL's, and no one has explained them to you. Don't fear, friends, About.com is here to help you understand this topic...

Websites That Will Make You Smarter
The Web is good for at least one thing: a vehicle for transferring useful knowledge between people. If you are interested in improving your knowledge of the world and yourself, then you'll enjoy this list. Here are websites that are guaranteed to make you smarter...

What Is 'OP'?
You've seen the expression 'OP' used in an online forum? What exactly does OP stand for? About.com explains this curious OP abbreviation here...

Torrent Download Guide, 2012
Torrent downloading is the most popular form of internet use in 2012 (as measured by sheer volume of data). If you want to try torrent downloading, here are the essentials of getting started as a torrent P2P user...

The Top Internet Memes, 2012
Here they are: the Greatest Internet Memes, distinguished by popularity over the last 15 years on the Web...

P2P PeerBlock (Peer Guardian)
PeerBlock is a powerful firewall product designed for P2P users to protect their computers from unauthorized searches by private agencies and corporations like the RIAA, MPAA, or MediaDefender.

What Is 'TMI'?
: What Is 'TMI'? What Does It Mean? While conversing online in a chat room or in an Internet game, you

PayPal 101
A beginner's tutorial explaining PayPal.com, how it works, and why millions of people use PayPal to make online purchases.

Tixati 2012Review
Tixati is still a young product (releases are still in the 1.x version range). But this bittorrent client is an excellent alternative to Vuze and uTorrent. About.com reviews Tixati here...

How Do I Play .Daa Files?
: How Do I Play .Daa Files? : March, 2012 .daa files are movies stored in a special format for downloading.

The Top 10 Internet Scams
The 10 nastiest Internet scams and con games of 2012. See examples and explanations here...

Digital Anonymity
The RIAA and other digital investigators can trace people's computers. Even worse, outside of North America, oppressive non-democratic countries will eavesdrop on web surfers. This eavesdropping affects anyone online who desires privacy: people in government-oppressed countries, people who participate in chats on abuse or political conscience, whistleblowers and their journalistic contacts, and workers in politcally volatile countries. Here is one way you can maintain your privacy...

Difference Between Internet and Web
: What Is the Difference Between the Internet and the Web? People commonly use the words "Internet" and

What Is 'Codec'?
: What Exactly Is 'Codec'? Why Would I Ever Need It? : May, 2012 "Codec" is a technical name for "compression/decompression".

The Best Spyware Cleaners
Here they are: The Best Anti Spyware Tools of 2010! There are some old friends here, but a couple of new players have joined the fray and set a new standard in the War on Malware. Read more here...

Modern Internet Abbreviations and Text Jargon
The world of internet conversation and text abbreviations: HMU, ROFLMAO, BISLY, RTFM, IMHO... what does it all mean? About.com has an exhaustive glossary of internet jargon and abbreviation terms here.

What Is 'TLDR'?
: What Is 'TLDR'? "TLDR" stands for "Too Long, Didn't Read". : While participating in an online discussion

What Is 'TBH'?
You see the curious expression 'TBH' in an instant message. What exactly does TBH stand for? About.com explains here...

The Best Free Wallpaper Sites, 2012
The Best Free Wallpaper Sites, 2012: Widescreen and High-Definition Wallpapers for Your Landscape Monitor

5 Steps to a Good Password
Has no one ever explained to you the secrets to a strong password? These 5 steps will dramatically improve your password strength. It works like this...

Torrent Site of the Week
As the world of P2P file sharing grows and evolves, various torrent search sites distinguish themselves. While it isn't one of the larger catalogs of torrents, Cinema Torrents provides a substantial quality selection of movie torrents. Read the full review here at About.com...

What Is 'KK'?
You see this peculiar expression in online games or in instant messages. But what exactly does it mean?

The Most Common Passwords, 2011-2012
What Do People Use for Passwords? Well, the LulzSec hackers who breached the Sony Playstation and Sony Pictures networks in 2011 actually gave us some data. These hackers published the account information of 37,000 users, including their passwords. This is what those 37,000 accounts revealed...

How to play .bin & .rar files
Are you having problems playing a .rar or .bin file movie? Frustrated over why your 24-hour download isn't showing for you? Here is the explanation of how to play downloaded movies in .bin, .cue, and .rar format.

How to Download Torrents
Torrent downloading is the most popular form of internet use today (as measured by sheer volume of data). If you want to try torrent downloading, here are the essentials of getting started as a torrent P2P user...

What Is 'NSFW'?
You've seen the odd acronym 'NSFW' in emails. Some people even have it on their t-shirts at work. But what exactly does NSFW mean? About.com explains here...

30 Important Internet Terms, 2012
Whether you are brand new to using the Web and the Internet, or you've been using both for years: here are 30 important terms that are absolutely worth learning.

How Music Pirates Get Caught
Yes, Internetizens. Music downloaders are caught and prosecuted weekly. In the USA, England, Australia, Canada, and other parts of the world, the RIAA and MPAA and other authorities take people to court and fine them big money. Here is how it works...

The Coolest Websites, 2011
Judging a website as being "cool" is very much a personal assessment. Everybody has such different tastes.

15 Addictive Flash Games
Here they are: the 15 most addictive Flash online games, as voted on by the About.com readership.

How to Research Online, 2012
10 seconds with Google is NOT proper research. Nor is quoting wikipedia when you claim that oil spills cause cancer. True Internet research involves research techniques and a critical thinking mindset. Here is how intelligent people research online...

What Is the 'Internet'?
What Is the 'Internet'?

The 10 Most Useful Websites
The 10 Most Useful Web Sites

Definition: Antivirus
: "antivirus" is protective software designed to defend your computer against malicious software. Malicious

Top 12 Free Internet Downloads
Here they are: the 12 most useful free downloads on the Internet this year, as voted on by a panel of semi-scientific computer geeks.

What Is 'Trolling'?
You've seen this expression in online discussion forums, but you are uncertain what it means. What exactly is 'trolling'?

Hacking Firefox For Speed
If you can follow some simple hacking instructions, here are three tips to get Firefox 1.0.x performing faster for you, regardless of your bandwidth...

Faster Dial-Up Modem Speeds!
Are you stuck with a slow dial-up Internet connection? Short of getting high-speed bandwidth, here is a compression-proxy solution that will get you six- to ten-times regular modem speed while still using your modem connection.

What Is 'ASCII Art'?
You've seen these bizarre images made of text characters. Most of them are inane and amateurish, but some ASII art is absolutely stunning and complex. What exactly is this bizarre art form? And how do people make ASCII art? About.com explains ASCII art in detail here...

Top 10 eBay Newbie Mistakes
Are you still new to the eBay universe? Are you self-taught, and still working on getting your feedback into the triple digits? If so, perhaps you have committed one of these 10 tragic mistakes. About.com tells us more about the Top Mistakes of eBay Beginners...

The Famous Netiquette Quiz, Level 2
The Famous Netiquette Quiz, Level 2: Are You a Netiquette Knucklehead?

DVD Discs: +R Versus -R
A semi-technical explanation of DVD media, and how these special cousins to compact discs are changing how we store music and video.

Internet Beginner Cheat Sheet
Welcome to the exciting world of the Internet and World Wide Web! While there's no owner's manual available for Internet beginners, there is this Quick Reference 'Cheat Sheet' for learning the Net and the Web. If you want to participate online with more confidence, then pull up a chair and join us here at About.com...

What is 'pwned'?
: What is 'pwned'? You have seen this peculiar term online, with expressions like "I got pwned!". Now,

The Best Internet Plug-Ins: a Primer
A plain web browser just doesn't cut it. In order to fully participate in web culture, you'll need plug-ins to view pdf files, run online animation, view movies at YouTube, play online games, and play music. About.com lists the Top 12 Plug-Ins for modern web users...

Internet 101, Lesson 1
Internet 101: Lesson 1 -- Equipment Needed

Unzipping Files
Zip Files: How to Unzip Them With the Right Software. A beginner's explanation of Zip file archives, WinZip software, and how it all works.

The Famous Netiquette Quiz, 2010
The Famous Network Etiquette Quiz of 2010: Are You a Netiquette Bonehead?

Install Tor Privacy Software
: "How Do I Install and Configure Tor-Privoxy Masking Software?" (continued from "How Do I Conceal My

What Is an Internet 'Troll'?
You've seen this expression in online discussion forums, but you are uncertain what it means. What exactly is a forum 'troll'?

What is 'DD'?
People regularly use the strange abbreviation 'DD' in forum discussions online. But what exactly does DD mean? About.com explains...

What Is 'OOAK'?
You see the expression 'OOAK' in online conversations. But what exactly does OOAK mean? About.com explains...

What Broadband Internet Choices Are Available?
What Broadband Internet Choices Are Available in 2012?

What Is an 'IP Address'?
: What Is an 'IP Address'? Is It the Same as 'Domain Name'? You see this "IP address" expression more

What Is 'Zip' and 'WinZip'?
Are you new to zip files and Winzip software? About.com explains how zip files work, and how to send and receive these compressed archives...

What Is 'LOLZ'?
You see the expression 'LOLZ' in online conversations. But what exactly does LOLZ mean? About.com explains...

What Is 'QFT'?
: What Is 'QFT'? While participating in an online discussion forum about immigration laws, you see this

eBay 101: a Primer for New Users
The world of eBay is both very useful and very vibrant: the range of new and used consumer products is absolutely staggering. To help you navigate the eBay landscape, About.com has developed a quick reference eBay guide. Here is your primer on becoming a new buyer or seller on eBay...

What Is 'DRM'?
: What Is 'DRM'? Why Is DRM So Controversial with Music and Movie Artists? : May, 2012 DRM, short for

How to play cue and dat movies
Are you having problems playing a .rar or .bin or .dat file movie? Frustrated over why your 24-hour download isn't showing for you? Here is the explanation of how to play downloaded movies in .bin, .cue, and .rar format.

What Is 'ROFL'?
You see the expression 'ROFL ' in online conversations. But what exactly does ROFL mean? About.com explains...

The Malware War of 2012
February, 2012 1) What is spyware? Forget viruses, spam and hacker attacks..."spyware" is now the single

eBay Auctions: What Is 'NWT'? What Is 'NWOT'?
'NWT' is 'new with tags'. 'NWOT' is 'new without tags'. These are common abbreviation for eBay sellers. About.com explains NWT and NWOT here...

What Is 'W/E'?
: What Is 'W/E? What Does W/E Mean? : "W/E" is "whatever". You will see the same expression spelled as

How to Launch IE Windows/Tabs
Here is a tip that is guaranteed to be useful to all users: how to view multiple web pages side-by-side on your single or double monitor. Using IE8 and some simple keystrokes, multiple browsing windows are very easy to do!

What Is 'Proc'?
The term 'proc' is both a gamer noun and a gamer verb. It describes random events in computer gaming. While it's exact meaning is debated, many computer programmers believe that 'proc' stands for 'Programmed Random OCcurrence'. About.com explains proc here...

What Is 'Telnet'?
You've heard the expression 'telnet' in conversation at the office. You've even seen it mentioned on the Web. But what exactly is telnet, and what does it do? About.com explains telnet here...

What is 'leet'?
What exactly does 'leet' or '1337' mean?

What People Use for Passwords
What Do People Use for Passwords? Well, the LulzSec hackers who breached the Sony Playstation and Sony Pictures networks in 2011 actually gave us some data. These hackers published the account information of 37,000 users, including their passwords. This is what those 37,000 accounts revealed...

What Is 'SSL'? What Is 'SSH'?
: What Is 'SSL'? What Is 'SSH'? You see these odd technical expressions around the Net. Techie guys say

Google+ Quick Reference Guide
Google Plus private messaging is different from Facebook's method. About.com explains how to send private messages in the new Google+ social network...

How Do I Remove Cookies?
: How Do I Remove My Browser Internet Cookies? (continued from related article, What Are Browser Cookies?

What Is 'WTF'?
You see the expression 'WTF' used in instant messaging, chat, and even email. But what exactly does WTF stand for? About.com explains.

What Is 'SaaS'?
You will hear the expression, 'SaaS', more and more. As the 21st Century marches on, there are going to be fundamental changes to how people use their computers, and SaaS/cloud computing is destined to be part of that. About.com explains more here...

How Do Spammers Get My Email?
Have you ever wondered how spam solicitors find your email address? About.com explains how...

What is 'DS'?
: What is 'DS'? What Does DS Stand For? : DS commonly stands for " Dear Son " or "Darling Son", a form

What Is 'YMMV'?
: What Is 'YMMV'? What Does YMMV Mean? : "YMMV" is "your mileage may vary". It is used as a disclaimer

RSS - What is 'RSS'?
: RSS - What is 'RSS'? If you are an "Information Junkie", then RSS is perfect for you. : "RSS" is about

What Is 'MT'?
You see this peculiar expression in online games or in instant messages. But what exactly does it mean?

What Is 'ASL'?
: What Is 'ASL'? What Does the Expression ASL Mean? : "A/S/L" is short for asking "what is your age/sex/location?",

FAQ: Email vs. IM vs. Forums
Has no one explained the difference to you? Try this short but informative explanation: Email vs. Instant Messaging vs. Discussion Forums vs. Chat

How to Save YouTube Movies
Do you want to save a good YouTube movie? You will need to use special websites to save YouTube videos. About.com explains how here...

What Is 'TPTB'?
You see the expression 'TPTB' in online conversations. But what exactly does TPTB mean? About.com explains...

Instant Message Abbreviations, 2011
The worlds of text messaging, email, and online discussions have spawned hundreds of bizarre jargon words. The English language has indeed been kicked in the stomach, and here are the culprits of 2012: the Top Acronyms of Text Messaging and Online Chat...

What Is 'LOL'?
You see the expression 'LOL' in online conversations. But what exactly does LOL mean? About.com explains...

Anatomy of an Internet URL
Tutorial: Anatomy of an Internet URL, an explanation for beginning users.

What Is 'ASP'?
: What Is 'ASP' (Application Service Provider)? While ASP can mean "active server pages" and sometimes

What Good Passwords Look Like
Has no one ever explained to you the secrets to a strong password? Here are several examples of strong passwords, and how you can create your own...

What Is 'AFAIK'?
: What Is 'AFAIK'? What Does AFAIK Mean? : "AFAIK" is "as far as I know". It is used to convey uncertainty

What Is 'TTYL'?
You see the expression 'TTYL' in online conversations. But what exactly does TTYLmean? About.com explains...

Definition: "Attachment"
: A file attached to an email message as an enclosure. It sends as a duplicate of the original file,

What Is 'Flash'?
: What is 'Flash'? Is that the same as 'Adobe Flash'? : Flash was formerly called "Macromedia Flash",

What Is 'Cloud Computing'?
: What Is 'Cloud Computing'? : "Cloud Computing" is a somewhat nebulous word to describe users "renting"

What is 'MUTE' File Sharing?
: What is 'MUTE' File Sharing? Special thanks to guest author, Joanna Gil, for this article. Although

What Is 'IM'?
IM and instant messaging are the modern evolution of computer chat. But much more sophisticated than chat rooms of the 1990's, today's IM is about high-velocity communications, file transfers, video conferencing, and virtual meetings. About.com explains IM here...

Downloading Music MP3s
Downloading Music MP3s: how Peer-to-Peer File Sharing works, and how the law barely allows it.

What Does 'Yahoo' Stand For?
: What Does 'Yahoo' Stand For? : Yahoo! (spelled with an exclamation mark) is short for "Yet Another

Definition: "Cache"
: "Cache" is a specialized form of computer memory. In the case of Internet, "cache" is commonly used

How to Play Music in Mumble
Gamers and Mumble Users: here is the visual step-by-step instructions on how to play music in Mumble using a single Windows 7 / Vista / XP computer.

What Is 'BFF'?
: What Is 'BFF'? What Does BFF Stand For? : BFF commonly stands for " Best Friends Forever ", a form

What is 'DH'?
: What is 'DH'? What Does DH Stand For? : DH commonly stands for " Dear Husband " or "Darling Husband",

What Is '1337' Leet?
What exactly does '1337 leet mean?

Cyberlocker: What Is a Cyberlocker?
Cyberlockers are 3rd party file-sharing services. While they are completely legal and innocent themselves, they are a big threat to movie and music copyright because of their ability to share files invisibly. About.com explains cyberlockers more here...

eBay Do's and Don'ts
(May, 2012: special thanks to guest eBay author, Joanna Gil, for this list. This is part of the Become

What Is 'Jumping the Shark'?
What is 'Jump the Shark'? What does it mean to have 'jumped the shark'?

IE8/9 Web Browser Tips
Do you want to make better use of your Internet Explorer 8 or 9? These Microsoft browsers are very good, once you get to know a few power user features that speed up your web experience...

The Top 10 Online Scams
Here they are: the 10 nastiest internet scams and online con games of 2012.

What Is the 'Invisible Web'?
February, 2012 Many untrained users have the naive expectation that they can locate anything on the world

How To Stop Popups
Here are the 5 best techniques for blocking and stopping pop-up windows on the Internet.

Groupon: What Is 'Groupon'?
Groupon is a new, and very popular, deal-of-the-day service. Groupon represents thousands of restaurants, stores, and services in North American cities, and offers discounts to subscribers. About.com explains more about Groupon here...

Best Free Antivirus Software
Of the many antivirus choices available, a few products stand out as being strong choices. Of those choices, this particular product is definitely worth looking at...

Definition: "Firewall"
: A "firewall" is an over-arching term to describe a specialized defense system for a computer network.

What Is 'Props'?
You see the expression 'props' in online conversations. But what exactly does props mean? About.com explains...

Google Earth, Explained.
An introduction to one of the most impressive Google products today: searchable satellite photos of the planet.

What is 'Lolcats'?
: What is 'Lolcats'? You will hear the expression "lolcats" in your daily email life, or even hear it

The Best Alternatives to MegaUpload
Since the US government shut down MegaUpload.com, the world of file sharing is looking for alternatives. If you want to share large files with friends and family, here are the best alternatives to MegaUpload...

What Is an 'Email Spoof' Phishing Attack?
: What Is an 'Email Spoof'? Is It a Type of Phishing Attack? : Email spoofing is email fraud and deception.

The Top 10 Freeware Utilities
Editor Picks: Top 10 Freeware Utilities for PC: home page hijackers talented programmers software choices cacheman paid software

What Is 'Flaming'?
You have heard of 'flaming' in online discussions. But what exactly is flaming? What constitutes a flame?

Cyberstalking: What Is Cyberstalking?
Cyberstalking is now more common than physical harassment. Using smartphones, text messages, sexting, Facebook, and online forums, cyberstalkers will find you, surveil you, harass you, and seek to victimize you criminally. About.com explains how cyberstalking works, and what you can do about it...

Quick Reference: Using Google Plus
Millions of Facebook users are switching to Google+. This new social network is different from Facebook, and many terms and techniques will be strange at first. But after you learn some Google+ essentials, you're bound to like the service. Here is your Newbie Guide to Using Google+...

How to Play Music in Ventrilo
Gamers and Ventrilo Users: here is the visual step-by-step instructions on how to play music in ventrilo using a single Windows 7 / Vista / XP computer.

What Is IPv4? IPv6?
Perhaps you've read the IPv4 is 'running out of addresses', and that something called 'IPv6' is going to solve the problem. This is indeed the case, and About.com explains why here...

How Big Is the Internet?
FAQ: How Big Is the Internet?

Why Does Internet Disconnect?
You have a fancy highspeed connection, but you keep going offline suddenly. Why does this happen? About.com helps to explain and troubleshoot Internet disconnection problems here...

The Best Beginner Shortcuts
Computers are all about automating the repetitive. As an Internet beginner, you'll definitely want to try some of these keyboard shortcuts... these commands will make regular web browsing smoother and faster!

What Is 'Scareware'?
: What Is 'Scareware'? : Scareware is deception software. It is also known as "rogue scanner" software

What Is 'Whaling'?
: What Is 'Whaling'? Is Whaling Like 'Spear Phishing'? : Whaling is a specific form of 'phishing' or

What Is a 'Mashup'?
: What Exactly Is an Internet 'Mashup'? You hear this "mashup" expression being used by techie friends

What Is a 'Hacker'?
So what exactly is a hacker? A haxor? A hax0r? Are they all the same terms? About.com explains here...

Best Search Engines for Students
From About.com: the Student's Quick Reference Guide to Internet Research.