The popularity of the Internet has made this new communication tool a must for all people no matter what their occupations are. Every person will have a need for the Internet at one time or another. Thus, a little knowledge on the basics of Internet operation would be an advantage.
There are people who have been using the Internet for so long they think they know everything about Internet operation. However, some of them have focused on the more complicated task of being able to surf and find topics they are looking for that they forgot the importance of basic Internet settings.
It is quite funny how Internet users are familiar with sophisticated Internet services and yet remain ignorant on the basic Internet settings that are available right on top of their browsers.
See those permanent fixtures on the topmost part of your browser? These are basic help functions that will help any Internet user modify his Internet settings or to make some functions easier.
Checking your Internet settings is important especially if you have been getting pop ups whenever you browse the Internet. These pop-ups are the newest trend in Internet disturbance and every Internet user should know how to get rid of it.
You Internet settings can be checked by clicking Tools on top of the browser. If you cannot find it then it is the fifth choice from the left beginning with File, Edit, View Favorites, Tools, Security and Help.
To check for pop-ups, click Tools then from the drop down window, choose Internet Options, then Security Tab and Internet zone. When you are there, make sure that to set the Security Level option to medium as this function tells the Internet Settings to block pop-ups that does not have a certificate. Choosing this setting will also make sure that your approval will be asked before pop-up controls or ActiveX is activated.
However, most sophisticated internet users no longer use Internet Explorer but Mozilla, Opera or AOL as these are safer.
For those using a wireless internet connection or what they call Wi-Fi, you have to be more vigilant because this is a weak connection and can easily be tampered with by snoops.
There are also other ways to maximize the use of the Internet. If you have encountered a site that you want to go back to because you find it interesting or you need the information, then just click on Favorites which is the fourth choice from the left. Choose add and then save the site in the specific folder you want it saved.
If you want to return to a site or page which you have visited previously then just click the back option located at the leftmost part of your browser. This can be the word Back itself or just an arrow pointing to the left. On the other hand, if you want to move forward then just click the word forward or the arrow pointing to the right.
To view websites that you have visited yesterday or in the past weeks, just click View then History and a smaller vertical window will open on the top left-most part of your page which presents several choices.
Knowing the proper way of using your Internet Settings will help you maximize the use of the Internet. So while this is a very basic component, make sure you know a thing or two about Internet Settings and how to adjust it.
--- Maddie Wesson, 2006
