7 Essential Internet Skills Non-Tech Savvy Should Know

Non-tech-savvy individuals can often feel overwhelmed or left behind, but fret not! Here, we illuminate the path to a more confident internet navigation. Repocket expert Jason Adler guides the essential internet skills every non-tech-savvy should master.

These are the skills that can dramatically improve your online explorer experience!

Browser Basics

Internet navigation stems from browser know-how. Among global users, Google Chrome is the most popular, with 2.6 billion users as of 2023. However, you can leverage other popular browsers like Safari or Firefox. When using such browsers, you must know how to open new tabs, bookmark websites, clear the browsing history and cache, and adjust settings.

Bookmarking, for example, can save you time by providing swift access to frequently visited sites. Hence, it improves overall browsing efficiency.

Search Engine Mastery

Whether you're an internet veteran or a newcomer, you should know how to use search engines (like Google) efficiently. According to Brooks, up to 25% of your search time once you familiarize yourself with the smart use of search engines.

This means learning how to use keywords effectively and understanding how to use Boolean (AND, OR, NOT) operators for detailed searches. Our software expert points out, "Understanding how Google works can make your internet experience more efficient."

Creating and Managing Passwords

The National Cyber Security Centre UK revealed that 23.2 million data breaches are due to weak passwords. As such, keeping digital accounts secure is critical, and it starts with a robust password system.

Learn how to create strong, unique passwords and manage them with reputable password manager apps. Using password managers can save you 10-15 minutes per lost password incident, which adds up over time.

Privacy and Online Safety

One often runs the risk of cyber threats while on the internet. And, criminals are doing their best to pursue various cyber attacks. According to a study, cybercrime will increase to 10.5 trillion by 2025. That means hackers aren’t slowing down.

So, the best solution is to learn basic privacy settings on browsers and social platforms. It includes not opening suspicious emails, keeping software up-to-date, and being cautious while sharing personal information.

Image Search

Google processes over 8.5 billion searches per day, but many users are still unaware of image search capabilities. With an image, you can get results faster than typing out a description, especially if you're uncertain how to describe it in words. For instance, image search helps you find the exact product when shopping online.

Basic Troubleshooting

Crashed webpage? Slow loading times? Being able to troubleshoot simple problems is instrumental. Restarting the browser or device, clearing the cache, or checking your connection often solves the issues and helps you use the internet efficiently.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Though it does not apply to smartphones, learning some time-saving keyboard shortcuts can be essential when using desktops. According to BrainScape, you could save an estimated 64 hours per year with this trick.

Keyboard shortcuts aren’t only for tech nerds. They can significantly streamline your online browsing experience, saving time on repetitive tasks and enabling quicker navigation.

These crucial internet skills can transform your online experiences from fraught to fluid. As you apply these skills, you'll find the internet becomes less of an intimidating labyrinth and more of a helpful tool.

As Adler wraps up, "You should never feel lost on the internet. It exists to serve you, not the other way around."