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15 Cool Internet Tips and Tricks To Make Your Life Better

by | Oct 11, 2023 | Internet

The internet has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Whether we’re working, learning, or simply browsing, the internet offers endless possibilities to make our lives easier. But are you getting the most out of it? Mastering certain internet tips and tricks can significantly enhance your productivity, save time, and improve your overall digital experience.

In this article, we’ll explore 15 cool and practical internet tips and tricks that can make your life better and more efficient.

15 Cool Internet Tips and Tricks 

Organizing and Managing Your Digital Life

Tip 1: Using Cloud Storage Efficiently

Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are invaluable tools for keeping your files safe and accessible from anywhere. But are you using them to their full potential?

  • Organize Your Files: Create a clear folder structure. Use folders for different categories like work, personal, and hobbies. Inside each folder, further categorize your files by date or project name.
  • Automatic Backups: Set up your devices to automatically back up important files to the cloud. This way, you’ll never lose important documents, even if your device is lost or damaged.
  • Access Anywhere: With cloud storage, your files are always with you. Whether you’re on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can access and edit your files anytime, anywhere.

Tip 2: Mastering Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are a powerful way to speed up your tasks. By mastering them, you can save hours every week.

  • Essential Shortcuts:
    • Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V): Quickly copy and paste text or files.
    • Undo (Ctrl + Z): Instantly undo your last action.
    • Switch Between Windows (Alt + Tab): Easily toggle between open windows without using your mouse.
  • Custom Shortcuts: Many programs allow you to create custom shortcuts. For example, in Microsoft Word, you can assign a shortcut to frequently used commands, saving even more time.

Tip 3: Using Browser Extensions for Productivity

Browser extensions are small software programs that enhance your browsing experience. They can help you manage tasks, block distractions, and protect your privacy.

  • Grammarly: Improve your writing with real-time grammar and spelling checks.
  • AdBlock: Block annoying ads and improve page load times.
  • LastPass: Securely store and manage your passwords across different sites.

By installing the right extensions, you can turn your browser into a powerful tool for productivity.

Enhancing Online Security and Privacy

Tip 4: Strengthening Passwords with a Password Manager

In today’s digital world, strong passwords are your first line of defense against hackers. But remembering dozens of complex passwords can be daunting. That’s where password managers come in.

  • Why Strong Passwords Matter: Weak passwords are easily cracked, leaving your accounts vulnerable. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • How Password Managers Work: Password managers like LastPass or 1Password store your passwords securely and autofill them when needed. You only need to remember one master password.
  • Setting Up a Password Manager: Download a password manager, create a strong master password, and start adding your accounts. The manager will generate strong passwords for each account and store them securely.

Tip 5: Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts, making it harder for unauthorized users to gain access.

  • What is 2FA?: 2FA requires two forms of verification to access an account. Typically, this involves something you know (a password) and something you have (a phone or authentication app).
  • How to Enable 2FA: Most major platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram offer 2FA. Go to your account settings, look for security options, and enable 2FA. You’ll usually receive a code on your phone to complete the login process.
  • Why Use 2FA?: Even if someone steals your password, they can’t access your account without the second form of verification, providing a much stronger level of security.

Tip 6: Using a VPN for Safe Browsing

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a tool that enhances your online privacy by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet connection.

  • What is a VPN?: A VPN creates a secure connection between your device and the internet, making it harder for hackers or third parties to track your online activities.
  • Choosing a VPN Service: Look for a reliable VPN service with strong encryption, a no-logs policy, and servers in multiple countries. Avoid free VPNs, as they may compromise your data.
  • Using a VPN: Once you’ve chosen a VPN, download and install the software, connect to a server, and browse securely. This is especially useful when using public Wi-Fi, where your data could be at risk.

Boosting Online Efficiency

Tip 7: Automating Tasks with IFTTT and Zapier

Automation tools like IFTTT (If This Then That) and Zapier allow you to automate repetitive tasks, saving you time and effort.

  • What is Automation?: Automation involves setting up rules that trigger specific actions. For example, you can automate posting to social media whenever you publish a new blog post.
  • Examples of Automation:
    • Social Media: Automatically share new blog posts on Twitter and Facebook.
    • Reminders: Get a text reminder when it’s going to rain tomorrow.
    • Home Automation: Turn off the lights when you leave the house.
  • Setting Up Automation: Sign up for IFTTT or Zapier, choose a trigger and an action, and let the tool do the rest. You can create simple automations (called applets or zaps) in minutes.

Tip 8: Using Search Engines Like a Pro

Search engines are powerful tools, but most people only scratch the surface of their capabilities. By learning advanced search techniques, you can find information faster and more accurately.

  • Advanced Search Techniques:
    • Quotation Marks (“ ”): Use quotation marks to search for an exact phrase. For example, searching “best coffee in New York” will only show results that match the exact phrase.
    • Minus Sign (-): Exclude words from your search. For example, searching “apple -fruit” will exclude results related to the fruit and focus on the tech company.
    • Site Search: Use “site

.com” to search within a specific website. For example, “site

.com climate change” will only show results from BBC’s website.

  • Finding Information Faster: By mastering these techniques, you can narrow down your search results and find what you’re looking for in less time.

Tip 9: Organizing Your Inbox with Email Filters

A cluttered inbox can be overwhelming. Email filters help you organize incoming messages automatically, keeping your inbox clean and manageable.

  • What are Email Filters?: Email filters allow you to automatically sort incoming emails into folders, labels, or categories based on criteria like sender, subject, or keywords.
  • Setting Up Filters:
    • Gmail: Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create a New Filter. Enter your criteria and choose an action, such as labeling or archiving the email.
    • Outlook: Go to Settings > View All Outlook Settings > Mail > Rules. Create a rule based on your criteria and choose an action.
  • Maintaining a Clean Inbox: Regularly review your filters to ensure they’re still effective. Archive or delete emails you no longer need to keep your inbox tidy.

Improving Online Learning and Research

Tip 10: Utilizing Free Online Courses and Tutorials

The internet offers a wealth of free educational resources. By taking advantage of these, you can learn new skills, advance your career, or explore new hobbies.

  • Popular Platforms:
    • Coursera: Offers courses from top universities and institutions, many of which are free to audit.
    • Khan Academy: Provides free courses in subjects like math, science, and history.
    • edX: Another platform offering free courses from prestigious universities.
  • Finding and Enrolling in Courses: Browse course catalogs by subject or interest. Many platforms allow you to audit courses for free, meaning you can access the content without paying for a certificate.
  • Tips for Staying Motivated: Set clear goals, create a study schedule, and join online forums or study groups to stay motivated.

Tip 11: Using Note-Taking Apps for Research

Note-taking apps like Evernote, OneNote, and Notion are essential tools for organizing research, managing projects, and keeping track of important information.

  • Popular Note-Taking Apps:
    • Evernote: Ideal for organizing notes, creating to-do lists, and clipping web pages.
    • OneNote: Offers a flexible canvas for notes, drawings, and multimedia content.
    • Notion: Combines note-taking with project management features, making it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use.
  • Organizing Research: Use folders or tags to categorize notes by topic or project. Create separate notebooks for different subjects, and use search functions to quickly find information.
  • Managing Projects: Note-taking apps can also serve as project management tools. Create task lists, set deadlines, and track progress all in one place.

Tip 12: Leveraging Online Tools for Citation and References

For students and professionals, managing citations and references can be time-consuming. Online tools like Zotero, Mendeley, and EasyBib simplify this process, helping you stay organized and avoid plagiarism.

  • Popular Citation Tools:
    • Zotero: A free tool that helps you collect, organize, and cite sources. It integrates with word processors, making it easy to insert citations as you write.
    • Mendeley: Similar to Zotero, Mendeley offers citation management, along with a social network for researchers.
    • EasyBib: A simple, web-based tool for generating citations in various styles, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago.
  • Step-by-Step Guide: After signing up for one of these tools, start by importing your sources. Most tools allow you to automatically generate citations and bibliographies, saving you time and ensuring accuracy.

Enhancing Your Social Media Experience

Tip 13: Customizing Social Media Feeds

Social media platforms are great for staying connected, but they can also be overwhelming. Customizing your feeds allows you to see only the content that matters most to you.

  • How to Customize Feeds:
    • Twitter: Use lists to categorize accounts by interest. Mute or block accounts that don’t add value to your feed.
    • Facebook: Use the “See First” feature to prioritize posts from certain friends or pages. Unfollow or mute accounts that post irrelevant content.
    • Instagram: Use the mute feature to hide posts or stories from certain accounts without unfollowing them.
  • Benefits of Customization: By filtering out noise and focusing on what matters, you can reduce stress, save time, and make your social media experience more enjoyable.

Tip 14: Scheduling Social Media Posts

Maintaining a consistent social media presence can be challenging, especially if you’re managing multiple accounts. Scheduling tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, and Later can help.

  • Popular Scheduling Tools:
    • Buffer: Allows you to schedule posts across multiple social media platforms from one dashboard.
    • Hootsuite: Offers more advanced features, including analytics and team collaboration tools.
    • Later: Specializes in visual content, making it ideal for Instagram and Pinterest.
  • How to Schedule Posts: Choose a scheduling tool, connect your social media accounts, and start creating posts. Use the tool’s calendar to plan and schedule content for optimal engagement.
  • Tips for Consistency: Batch create content to save time, and use analytics to determine the best times to post for your audience.

Tip 15: Managing Multiple Accounts with Social Media Dashboards

If you’re juggling multiple social media accounts, a social media dashboard can be a lifesaver. These tools allow you to manage all your accounts in one place, making it easier to stay organized and efficient.

  • Benefits of Social Media Dashboards:
    • Unified Interface: Manage all your accounts from a single dashboard, saving time and reducing complexity.
    • Scheduling and Monitoring: Schedule posts, track mentions, and monitor engagement across all your accounts.
    • Analytics and Reporting: Access detailed analytics to understand what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
  • Popular Dashboards: Tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and TweetDeck offer robust features for managing multiple accounts. Choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.

Conclusion

Mastering these 15 internet tips and tricks can make a significant difference in your daily life. From organizing your digital world and boosting online security to enhancing productivity and improving your social media experience, these tips are designed to help you get the most out of the internet. Start implementing these tips today, and watch how they transform your online life.

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