Internet Basics

In Internet Basics, learn about the basic components of the World Wide Web and common tools that can make or break your Internet experience: search engines, Web browsers, RSS, spam and more.

More Tech Topics to Explore

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?

Can the Internet Break From Overuse?

Could an Attack on Undersea Cables Take Down the Internet?

Net Neutrality Is Gone. How Could That Affect You?

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

Here's How You Back Up Your Gmail

Messaging App Sarahah Wants You to Give Your Friends Anonymous Feedback

How Websites Use 'Dark Patterns' to Trick You Online

That Dead Weblink May Be Revived With the Wayback Machine

How to See and Delete Your Google History

How to Deactivate or Delete Your Facebook Account

8 Free Apps to Help You Stay Connected During Coronavirus

Why Do Social Media Platforms Practice Shadowbanning?

10 Reasons Why You Should Care About Net Neutrality

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

Data Sent via Infrared Light Could Make WiFi Hundreds of Times Faster

Learn More

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

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

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

'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

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

Annoying Verification On Its Way Out as CAPTCHA Goes Invisible

Google's CAPTCHA will use browsing habits to predict your humanity, only relying on the irritating jumble of letters for suspicious, potential bots.

By Patrick J. Kiger Mar 22, 2017 Internet / Internet Basics

5 Things You Didn't Know About Wikipedia

Your college professors probably told you not to use Wikipedia for papers. But they might have been wrong.

By Kathryn Whitbourne Jan 13, 2017 Internet / Internet Basics

Google Has a Shrewd Plan to Fight ISIS Recruitment

Google AdWords aren't just for selling products.

By Dave Roos Oct 3, 2016 Internet / Internet Basics

The Controversy Over YouTube Takedowns

YouTube takedowns have been skyrocketing this year, and uploaders don't know why. What's the line between copyright infringement and content creation?

By Dave Roos Mar 8, 2016 Internet / Internet Basics

Need a New Podcast to Binge? Here's What HowStuffWorks Podcast Hosts Listen To

HowStuffWorks loves podcasts, and our staff of podcast hosts offer up recommendations of their favorite ones to obsess over.

By Yves Jeffcoat Feb 12, 2016 Internet / Internet Basics

'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

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

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 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

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

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

How to Use Google Earth to Show and Share GPS Routes and Tracks

Do you want to know how to use Google Earth to show and share GPS routes and tracks from your travels? Learn how to how to use Google Earth to show and share GPS routes and tracks in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Internet / Internet Basics

How to Put a Photo Album on a Web Page

You'd like to learn how to put a photo album on a Web page and share it with others. Learn in this article how to put a photo album on a Web page.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Internet / Internet Basics

How to E-mail Pictures

You'd like to know how to e-mail some old pictures and new digital ones your family and friends. Learn how to e-mail pictures in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Internet / Internet Basics

How do you hide your IP address?

Proxy servers and proxy server software can help you hide your IP address. Learn how to hide an IP address from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Internet / Internet Basics

How do you find your temporary Internet files?

If you have Windows 7 or Windows Vista, you'll find your temporary Internet files on your C drive. Learn how to find temporary Internet files from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Internet / Internet Basics