E-mail & Messaging

For most people, a day without e-mail is unthinkable. From instant messaging to e-mail and other notifications, HowStuffWorks explains the devices and technologies that keep you in the loop.

The Truth About Cloud Storage and Its Future

5 Ways to Keep Your Information Secure in the Cloud

Are my files really safe if I store them in the cloud?

Kazakhstan Is the Latest Country to Shut Down the Internet; Here's How

Can the Internet Break From Overuse?

Could an Attack on Undersea Cables Take Down the Internet?

It's Time to Enter the Doodle for Google Contest!

How to Change the Language in Google Chrome

How to Enable Google Chrome Dark Mode on All Your Devices

How Websites Use 'Dark Patterns' to Trick You Online

An Expert Explains Why Mastodon Won't Be the New Twitter

Twitter Is Finally Getting an Edit Button

Doomscrolling Is Messing With Your Mind, But You Can Break the Habit

Google Easter Eggs: Sweet Treats Hidden in Plain Sight

10 Reasons Why You Should Care About Net Neutrality

Does Weather Mess With Your Internet Connection?

6 Reasons Your WiFi Keeps Disconnecting and How to Fix It

What's the Difference Between a Modem and a Router?

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How To Recall An Email in Outlook or Gmail

Email clients like Outlook and Gmail have a handy recall message feature that allows you to delete or edit emails after you've sent them. We'll tell you how to use them.

By Talon Homer

What Does CC Mean in Email?

Most of us use the CC function in our email accounts all the time, but do you know what CC actually means and how it works?

By Laurie L. Dove

How to End an Email

The perfect email deserves the perfect ending. But what is the right way to close an email? Well, that depends on who will be reading it.

By Francisco Guzman

Could Your Computer Help You Be More Polite?

A new program from researchers at Carnegie Mellon can help your computer send more polite emails and messages. And they used a treasure trove of emails from the Enron lawsuit to do it.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

If You BCC Someone on an Email, Can the Recipient Find Out?

Sometimes referred to as the "backstabbing carbon copy," the BCC feature in email allows a sender to copy someone on a message without the recipient knowing. But is there a way for the recipient to find out? And should you really use BCC?

By Nathan Chandler

Here's How You Back Up Your Gmail

Gmail is one of the most popular email suites out there today. But if you're not backing up your data, you could be in for a huge loss if the site goes haywire.

By Nathan Chandler

Messaging App Sarahah Wants You to Give Your Friends Anonymous Feedback

Because that always works out so well.

By Jonathan Strickland

Can e-mails be taxed?

How many e-mails do you send and receive on any given day? Could you imagine if you were taxed for all that digital communication?

By Nathan Chandler

How to Send Text Messages Through Your Computer

If your fingers ache from trying to type text messages from your smartphone or cell phone, you'll be happy to know how easy it is to send them via your computer.

By Nathan Chandler

How to Organize Emails by Utilizing the Files Function

You can organize e-mails by assigning mail to specific files for later retrieval. Learn about how to organize e-mails in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

How Instant Messaging Security Works

With a rise in instant messaging, security is important to protect your computer and your family.

By Dave Roos

IM and E-mail: Which is more popular and why?

Instant messaging and e-mail are useful communication tools. And you're either an IM fan or a staunch e-mail loyalist. So which is more popular and why?

By Dave Roos