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

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'Serial' Is Back and Has Upped Its Podcasting Game

The "Serial" team has just released its second season. Here's the scoop.

By Christian Sager Dec 11, 2015 Internet / Internet Basics

Falling for Finstagram

"Finstagram" stands for "fake Instagram" but for its users, it's a chance to be authentic.

By Alia Hoyt Dec 2, 2015 Social Networking / Social Networks

Zero Views: Unseen Video You Can’t Stop Watching

We always hear about the YouTube clips with millions of views. But what about the ones on the other end of the dial?

By Dave Roos Nov 2, 2015 Internet / Internet Tips

Casual Dating With the Help of Artificial Intelligence

Tired of swiping left for Tinder? Fret not. AI could soon streamline your dating life.

By Jonathan Strickland Oct 26, 2015 Social Networking / Social Networks

How Google Loon Works

Imagine a world where everyone — really, everyone — has access to the Internet. Google's Project Loon is trying to make that concept a reality ... using balloons.

By Bernadette Johnson Internet / Connectivity

9 Sites That Let You View Your Web Traffic

Growing your online presence is tough when you don't know your audience — that's where analytics comes in handy. Here are 10 sites that will let you put your web traffic data to good use.

By Alison Cooper Internet / Internet Tips

How the Internet of Things Works

Your phone, your thermostat, even your doorbell can communicate with the Internet, relaying information about the devices — and you. How is all this connectivity affecting our world?

By Bernadette Johnson Internet / Connectivity

How Twitter Periscope Works

Periscope lets you broadcast what's in front of you in real time, and interact with the people watching. Is this simply a novelty, or is it here to stay? And what are the legal ramifications?

By Bernadette Johnson Social Networking / Social Networking Information

Why are Web addresses in English?

Here's something you've probably never pondered while surfing the Internet: Web addresses are in English. Why is that? And how do non-English speakers navigate the web?

By Beth Brindle Internet / Internet Basics

Why does my Shockwave plugin get busy?

Ugh. Another pleasant ride on the World Wide Web ruined by Shockwave plugin errors. What causes these errors, and how can you stop them?

By Beth Brindle Internet / Internet Tips

What is deep linking?

Our digital world has given us a ton of new words and phrases to learn. Get ready to learn yet another one - deep linking. What does it mean? Let's just say it can help keep things connected.

By Beth Brindle Internet / Web Design & Development

Why does my Flash plugin crash?

It always seems like the enjoyment of surfing the Web is intermittently ruined by Flash plugin crashes. Why does this happen, and how can you stop it?

By Beth Brindle Internet / Internet Tips

How Internet Folklore Works

Perhaps your friends have posted that Facebook copyright message. Or you've gotten a forward-or-bad-things-will-happen chain email. Technology hasn't killed folklore – it's just created a space where it's shared more quickly.

By Nathan Chandler Internet / Internet Basics

Can Google predict disease outbreaks?

Want to know where and when the next big flu outbreak will take place? The answer might be as fast, and as close, as a Google search.

By Beth Brindle Internet / Internet Basics

How Google Fiber Works

Google's broadband Internet and TV service is often spoken of with near-reverence for its ultra-fast speeds. Why is it so much faster than other options?

By Bernadette Johnson Internet / Connectivity

10 Nightmare Scenarios From the Internet of Things

A connected world stretching from your blender to your thermostat to the satellites overhead? It seemed like a good idea at the time.

By Nicholas Gerbis Internet / Connectivity

What makes things on the Internet go viral?

Internet sensations like LOLcat and the Harlem Shake didn't happen overnight. OK, maybe they did. But what did these phenomena have in common (besides inanity)? Are there any rules for making pictures, videos or blogs go viral?

By Chris Opfer Social Networking / Social Networking Information

How the Deep Web Works

About 40 percent of the world's population uses the Web for news, entertainment and communication, but in truth, only a sliver of what we know as the World Wide Web is easily accessible.

By Nathan Chandler Internet / Internet Basics

What is ‘big data’?

Since the advent of the Internet, we've been producing data in staggering amounts. Who's collecting it, and should we be worried?

By Bernadette Johnson Internet / Internet Basics

How Vine Works

Six seconds isn't much time to convey an idea, so why is Vine, with its microvideo social network model, so captivating?

By Nathan Chandler Social Networking / Social Networks

How can I find out what information exists about me online?

If you use the Internet for any length of time, there's probably lots of information floating around out there about you. How do you find it, and can you delete it?

By Bernadette Johnson Internet / Internet Tips

10 Tech Companies That Totally Imploded

The dot-com bubble produced plenty of companies that spent and grew too quickly and couldn't sustain themselves, but some burned out in spectacular style. Here are 10 tech companies that lived fast and died young.

By Bernadette Johnson Internet / Internet Basics

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 Internet / E-mail & Messaging

How much energy does the Internet use?

Millions of mobile devices, computers and data centers make up the Internet. Machines join and drop off every second, and each requires electricity. Is it possible to measure how much juice the Internet uses?

By Jonathan Strickland Internet / Internet Basics

10 Failed Google Projects

Most people think of Google as a giant juggernaut of Internet success. But even the company behind the world's most popular search engine has had its share of blunders.

By Jacob Clifton Internet / Web Design & Development