How do you roam the internet? Through a web browser of course!

But what is a web browser? It’s a program on your computer that either comes with it or that you can install that uses your wifi or data connection to download content from various .coms, .orgs, and more!

The three biggest browsers on the market are Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox — but what exactly is the difference between them?

Internet Explorer is the best browser for people who simply like to check their email, Facebook, news sites, and so on. It comes integrated with Flash Player, and itself comes integrated into your brand-new Windows 8 PC, so it’s ready to go right out of the box. IE also protects your privacy by enabling the Do Not Track feature by default (DNT tells websites that you do not want them planting cookies on your browser that enable them to keep track of where you browse) and hosting a strong selection of security tools.

Firefox is similar to IE in its simple interface and robust privacy and security tools. Unlike IE, however, it also has a large pool of browser extensions and themes that allow you to customize your browser. It offers you the ability to sync your settings across all computers that you use Firefox on so that you can access your favorite websites, tabs, extensions, and more anywhere.

Chrome offers the same features as Firefox, including data syncing and customization, but also comes with integration into all of Google’s other services. Google Now notifications can show up on your desktop without any extra software. Google voice search works right from the Google search page. It’s super easy to upload your music to Play Music through the Chrome extension.

The one disadvantage to Chrome is that it doesn’t do as much for your privacy as the other two do. It hides the Do Not Track feature under advanced settings and also doesn’t enable it by default.

As for compatibility with other devices, Chrome is available on any device: Mac, PC, iPhone/iPad, and Android. It even supports older versions of Windows, dating back to Windows XP. Firefox offers the same support, with the exception of iPhone/iPad. IE only supports Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.

About every three years, Microsoft releases a newer version of its robust documenting software, Office. The latest version, Office 2013, sets out to be everything you need to keep your home, school, and business life organized and thriving.

What many may not know is that Office 2013 offers more than just software for your desktop (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, among others), but a whole slew of Office-online to help you stay on track no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

Office 365 is Microsoft’s new way of offering Office to businesses. You can buy one licence or five for a monthly fee/subscription, and in return you get access to the latest version of Office. Rather than paying a one-time fee for a static version of Office, 365 keeps you up-to-date whenever new upgrades are released.

Not on a PC or Mac? Office is available online at office.live.com. All you need is a computer, a tablet or a netbook with internet connection and your Microsoft account information. Your documents are saved automatically with every edit you make and can be accessed anywhere from your OneDrive storage.

Not near a computer at all? Office programs, like Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, are available as individual apps that can be downloaded on iPhones, iPads and Android devices. Like Office online, these apps connect to your Microsoft account so you can find and edit any document.

You can also easily share your documents with others, and even edit those documents at the same time! Sure beats endless emails back and forth trying to keep all the attachments and edits organized.

These days you can never be too careful…

You have been told clicking on the wrong thing can infect your computer with malware, but did you know it can also lead to a loss or theft of personal information? You probably did. Scams are no new thing. It’s only the types of scams we see that change.

Below is a list of common scams to be on the watch for.

1. Email scams. Often called ‘spam’ by email clients, email scams are phony letters that show up in your inbox (or at least, try to) that want you to click on a bad link, send money, or give your personal information. Scammers pretend to be from banks, FedEx, UPS, the IRS, distant family, the lottery… you name it.
2. Tech Support scams. These people will approach through the phone first, typically. They say they are from Microsoft or another company and tell you there’s something wrong with your computer. They get you to give them remote access, and then they infect your computer.  It’s only after you pay them that they (might) undo the damage and leave; but most likely, they leave their malware there in hopes that you will pay more down the road for their “removal services.”
3. Click bait.  These are “news stories” that promise gossip, secrets, and too-good-to-be-true offers. They lure you in with their headlines and get you when you click on their bad links. Sometimes they pretend to be error or software update messages; but you can tell they are fake because they appear in advertisement spots on websites.
4. Data breaches. Many crooks are going after the data stores large companies keep. There is little you as an individual can do to prevent data breaches, but you can take steps to protect your personal information should it get hacked. Keep track of where your money is going and don’t use the same username and password for every website.