A lot of people use their internet devices casually and don’t know how to use them to their fullest. That’s true not just for internet devices, many don’t even use full features of their Cox cable plans besides the usual options. But there are so many browsing hacks that can save your time and effort.
In this blog, you can check out 5 routine browsing hacks. The best is that they are super easy to apply. You don’t have to be tech-savvy at all to make use of these hacks in your life. And the best part is that some of them can help you save money.
Following are the hacks worth trying:
Incognito Mode
When you are browsing different websites, cookies are stored on your browser. These cookies are used by marketers to show you targeted ads. Whether you are streaming YouTube or reading a blog, you will be continuously bombarded with ads based on your previous browsing experience. These ads and continuous tracking can get very annoying for a lot of users. But there’s an easy way to get rid of them.
Simply, click on the three dots on the top right corner of Google Chrome. The dropdown menu will show you the option of the New Incognito Window. Click on that. And enjoy browsing without third parties tracking you. The process is the same on the Microsoft Edge browser with the incognito option replaced by a New private window.
If you use the Opera browser, the method is a bit different. You have to click on the Opera icon in the top left corner of your screen. Select the option of New Private Window from the dropdown menu.
Free Word and Excel Alternatives
Office 365 is a subscription-based service where you can also make a one-time payment to get permanent access. But there is another way of using Word and Excel for free. Simply visit office.com and sign up for the free version of Office 365. It is a similar experience to using regular Office but you have to go online to use this free version.
Another free alternative is to use Google Docs and Sheets. Simply search Google Drive in your search bar and click on the first result. Here you can log in with your Gmail account and use Google Docs and Sheets for free. These are excellent alternatives to the usual Office 365 applications.
Find Your Desired Result on a Webpage
When your search query shows extensive documents in the search results, it can be difficult to find the passage you are searching for. A simple hack to find text on any document is to simultaneously press Ctrl and F. A search window will pop up on your screen. Insert the relevant words to the passage and you can see them highlighted in Yellow. This can save a lot of time during research.
Opera, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge, all support this command. So, use it on your choice of browser and do smarter browsing.
Instant Remote IT Support
If you are facing a problem with your PC or laptop, you can get remote IT support. There are free applications like TeamViewer and AnyDesk that can show your screen to an expert from theirs. The best part is that you can give access to takeover and control your PC from their device. It takes less than five minutes to familiarize yourself with these applications. If you and your tech expert friends have these applications, you can easily connect and have them fix your issues.
Stream More Shows on Netflix
Netflix and other streaming platforms have different libraries for every location. The shows you can see in the US may not be accessible on Netflix for someone in the EU. But there’s an easy hack to get access to more shows and broader libraries on Netflix and other applications. Just change your computer’s or phone’s virtual location. You can do this easily by installing and using a VPN.
A VPN allows you to change your virtual location. Thus, using one can get you access to a broader variety of shows. There are many free VPNs you can use on the internet. But generally, the ones that support Netflix streaming are paid. But buying a VPN can keep your browsing secure as well. So, if you are planning to buy a subscription plan for a VPN, it may be worthwhile.
Conclusion
All these hacks are really simple and do not require any specialized knowledge of using computers. But using them can make your browsing experience better by a lot. So, do use them in your routine.