Editors of Readers Digest - How to do just about anything on the Internet

A Readers Digest Book

Copyright 2015 The Readers Digest Association, Inc.

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First published as Instant Internet Answers in 2013 in the United Kingdom by Therefore Publishing Limited for The Readers Digest Association Inc., under the supervision of Pegasus Regional Limited. This edition first published in Australia in 2014.

Readers Digest and The Digest are registered trademarks of The Readers Digest Association, Inc.

ISBN 978-1-62145-265-2 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-62145-281-2 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-62145-266-9 (ebook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

How to do just about anything on the Internet / by the editors of Readers Digest. -- 1st [edition].

pages cm

Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-62145-265-2 (alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-62145-266-9 (epub) 1. Internet--Miscellanea. 2. World Wide Web--Miscellanea. I. Readers Digest Association

TK5105.875.I57H68 2015

025.042--dc23

2015004934

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Writers Zo Wildsmith, Kim Davies, Charlotte Raveney, Jonathan Bastable

Editor Kim Davies

Art editor Ginny Zeal

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Consultants Daren Payne, Bill Dawes

Proofreader Ali Moore

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The Internet can make life easier, better and a lot more fun. How? In all kinds of ways. In fact, the Internet is now so much part of the fabric of daily lifefrom doing your banking to booking a vacationthat its becoming hard to get by without it. Things that you used to be able to do in person, by phone, or by mail are increasingly only possible online.

And it is, after all, a fabulous inventionperhaps the greatest invention of our agenot because of the big things it can do, but because of the thousands of small ones. The Internet can help you to:

Stay closer to friends and family. You can send emails, catch up on Facebook and Twitter, make phone calls and video chatsall completely free.

Save time and money on your shopping. You can buy pretty much anything you need onlinetheres no need to trawl through shops and around shopping centers. Also, many everyday things are cheaper online. Whats more, you can track down rare items wherever they may be in the world.

Enjoy life! So much of todays entertainment is available via the Internetmusic, books, TV shows, and thousands of films, new and old, are just a few clicks away.

Find out something about absolutely anything. The Internet is an incredible resource for informationfrom breaking news to practical know-how. Discover how to pin down the facts, listen to the radio, learn new skills, and garner tips on everything from drawing to DIY.

The best news is that the Internet is simple to use. This book has been written with beginners as well as more experienced users in mindso theres no unnecessary jargon or complicated procedures to learn. Everythings explained as if you were having a conversation with a helpful, computer-savvy friend. How to Do Just About Anything on the Internet addresses the questions everyone has when they first use the Internet, then goes on to cover much, much more.

Where relevant, we tell you, click by click, what to do on your computer or other device. If you need to press or select an option, we have put it in bold text . Here and there, you will see images like this . They are intended to help you recognize the relevant icons and buttons on your screen. Weve also pointed you toward some of the many websites and organizations that can help you achieve what you want on the Internet. And there are useful boxes with handy tipssuch as how to choose between different Internet providers or how to pick a strong password.

And you neednt worry about securityso long as you take the right precautions, the Internet is a safe place to be. This book gives you essential safety advice whenever it crops up so that you can protect yourself. And, although there are dishonest people onlinejust as there are in real lifewe give you tips on how to spot their scams.

All these features make How to Do Just About Anything on the Internet an essential guide for anyone who wants to make the most of all the Internet has to offer. There is a virtual world of possibilities out there for you to explore and enjoy.

Note to readers

This book has been rigorously researched and written with the help of experts. Please note, however, that computers and computer programs, websites and their contents are continually being revised and updated. As a result, what you see on-screen may vary from what is written here. The mention of any organizations or websites in this book does not constitute an official endorsement by Readers Digest.

Starting points

The Internet is a marvelous means of enriching and improving almost every aspect of your life.

More than a third of the worlds population is online (that is, has access to the Internet). In the U.S., 87% of all adults use the Internet.

There are several ways to get online, from having a broadband connection at home to browsing on the move using your Internet-connected phone (smartphone).

There are simple security measures you can use to protect your computer and browse the Internet safely.

KEY ACTIONS

Learn how best to get connected.

Decide between a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Understand the difference between broadband, 3G, 4G, and WiFi.

Choose the right Internet package for you.

Find out how to set up your equipment. (Its easier than you might think.)

Take the necessary steps to make your Internet activity secure, at home and when you are out and about.