Internet Technology

We look to the Internet for news, socializing, shopping, research and more. From HTML code to instant messaging, we'll break down what's really going on whenever you log on, send an e-mail, visit a popular Web site or post to a blog.

Topics to Explore

How AOL Instant Messenger Works

How GenForum Works

Top 5 Fake Celebrities on Twitter

The Internet of Things Leaves Finland Cold

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How to Deactivate or Delete Your Facebook Account

Whether you want to break up with Facebook for good — or just take a breather — we've got step-by-step instructions so you can do either.

By Nathan Chandler Mar 30, 2020 Social Networking / Social Networking Information

Why Haven't WhatsApp and Other Text Messaging Apps Taken Off in the U.S.?

Though many text messenger apps are available for download, most Americans still prefer to send a text message via their mobile carrier. Why is that?

By Nathan Chandler Mar 26, 2020 Internet / WiFi & Mobile

Can the Internet Break From Overuse?

With the COVID-19 pandemic causing people to stay at home and use their devices way more than usual, some are wondering whether the internet could actually stop working from overuse.

By Nathan Chandler Mar 25, 2020 Internet / Connectivity

8 Free Apps to Help You Stay Connected During Coronavirus

Need ways to stay in touch with your family and friends while you're quarantined during the coronavirus pandemic? We've got several simple apps so you can reach out virtually.

By Wendy Bowman Mar 19, 2020 Social Networking / Social Networks

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 Mar 5, 2020 Internet / E-mail & Messaging

How Websites Use 'Dark Patterns' to Trick You Online

Ever found yourself signed up for a newsletter or paying for travel insurance you didn't want? It's no accident. Websites use 'dark patterns' to get you to do things you hadn't planned on. How do they do that?

By Nathan Chandler Feb 24, 2020 Internet / Internet Tips

That Dead Weblink May Be Revived With the Wayback Machine

Ever clicked on a web article with a broken link and wondered what was at that link? You can travel back in time and see that old webpage, thanks to the Wayback Machine.

By Nathan Chandler Dec 19, 2019 Internet / Internet Tips

How to Change the Language in Google Chrome

If you're looking at a news story or website in an unfamiliar language, there is an easy way to have Google Chrome translate it for you.

By Nathan Chandler Oct 15, 2019 Internet / Internet Basics

Why Do Social Media Platforms Practice Shadowbanning?

Its very existence has been debated for years, so what is shadowbanning, and how can you avoid it?

By Nathan Chandler Oct 3, 2019 Social Networking / Social Networking Information

How Google Works

Since Google launched as a privately held company on Sept. 4, 1998, it's evolved from a two-man enterprise into a multibillion-dollar corporation. How did a Ph.D. project become one of the most influential companies in the world?

By Jonathan Strickland & John Donovan Internet / Internet Basics

How to See and Delete Your Google History

Some browsers make it easier than others to delete your search history. We've got step-by-step instructions for removing your Google search history from your laptop and mobile devices for all major browsers.

By Nathan Chandler May 14, 2019 Internet / Internet Tips

The World Wide Web Turns 30!

And boy it's come a long way since 1989.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Mar 12, 2019 Internet / Internet Basics

The Truth About Cloud Storage and Its Future

It's a lot more complicated than you might think. And it's not going anywhere.

By Greg Fish Jan 25, 2019 Internet / Cloud Computing

'Doodles' Make Googling an Art Form

How in the world did a search engine company like Google become synonymous with a fun form of art? It all started with Burning Man.

By John Donovan Nov 27, 2018 Internet / Internet Basics

Where Are the Women of Wikipedia?

Wikipedia is one of the most popular sources of knowledge on the internet. But more than 80 percent of its contributors are men. And that shapes the content, often in negative ways.

By Stell Simonton Aug 2, 2018 Internet / Internet Basics

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 Jul 31, 2018 Internet / E-mail & Messaging

This Podcast Needs Your Help to Answer Life's Most Challenging Questions

When was the last time you felt different? What childhood memory shaped your world? If you like discussing questions like this, you'll love being able to be part of The Question Booth podcast.

By Kathryn Whitbourne Jun 7, 2018 Internet / Internet Basics

Facebook and Cambridge Analytica: What a Tangled Web They Weave

Whether you love or hate Facebook, the Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed major flaws in the online platform. So where do we go from here?

By Diana Brown May 11, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

Online Dating Is Increasing Interracial Marriage

Online dating apps are aiding social integration because people are interacting with others to whom they previously had no access.

By Alia Hoyt Apr 5, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

How to Win the Privacy War With Facebook

Having a tough time breaking up with Facebook? Then at least be sure your private information is secure and protected.

By John Donovan Mar 26, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

Twitter Cracks Down on Bot Abuse

Twitter bots seem to be with us to stay, but how do they work? And are they all bad?

By Patrick J. Kiger Mar 1, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

Nextdoor and More: The Good, Bad and Ugly of Neighborhood Social Networks

The popularity of neighborhood social networks keeps exploding. But building community comes with some unintended consequences.

By Dave Roos Feb 27, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

How Emojis Work

Those little pics that people use to represent their feelings or avoid misunderstandings have been around since the 1990s but have been picking up steam in the 21st century. Why's that?

By Nathan Chandler Social Networking / Social Networks

Could an Attack on Undersea Cables Take Down the Internet?

The undersea cables that transmit the internet across the world are largely unprotected from terrorist or military attack.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jan 4, 2018 Internet / Connectivity

Net Neutrality Is Gone. How Could That Affect You?

The idea behind net neutrality is for people to be able to access the same websites and services equally. Does that no longer hold true for U.S. residents?

By Jonathan Strickland & Kathryn Whitbourne Dec 15, 2017 Internet / Connectivity