Short Tutorial/FAQ – What Are Tips for Searching on Google?


Question: I want to step up my game with online searches. How can I search on Google more efficiently?

Answer: We went straight to the source, Google, for tips and tricks to more easily find information on Google.

Tip 1: Start with the basics.
No matter what you’re looking for, start with a simple search like where’s the closest airport. You can always add a few descriptive words if necessary. If you’re looking for a place or product in a specific location, add the location. For example, bakery seattle.

Tip 2: Search using your voice.
Tired of typing? To search with your voice, tap the Microphone icon. Learn how to search with your voice.

Tip 3: Choose words carefully.
When you decide what words to put in the search box, try words that are likely to appear on the site you’re looking for. For example, instead of saying my head hurts, say headache, because that’s the word a medical site uses.

Tip 4: Don’t worry about the little things.

• Spelling: Google’s spell checker automatically uses the most common spelling of a given word, whether or not you spell it correctly.
• Capitalization: A search for New York Times is the same as a search for new york times.

Tip 5: Find quick answers.
For many searches, Google will do the work for you and show an answer to your question in the search results. Some features, like information about sports teams, aren’t available in all regions.

• Weather: Search weather to see the weather in your location or add a city name, like weather seattle, to find weather for a certain place.
• Dictionary: Put define in front of any word to see its definition.
• Unit conversions: Enter any conversion, like 3 dollars in euros.
• Sports: Search for the name of your team to see a schedule, game scores, and more.
• Quick facts: Search for the name of a celebrity, location, movie, or song to find related information.

Visit the Google Help Center for more advanced search instructions including how to do a reverse image search or filter your search results.

Stay Alert – Watch Out for Voter Registration Scams

Scammers are opportunists, and they take advantage of current events to trick their victims. This is why the Better Business Bureau, Identity Theft Resource Center, and National Association of State Election Directors have all warned the public to be aware of voter registration scams, especially in this presidential election year.

Posing as election officials, scammers may contact you by phone, email, or in-person and claim you’re not registered to vote. They’ll then offer to register you by phone. This is a fraudulent claim, since in all 50 states, you can only register to vote online, by mail, or in person at a local election office.

Scammers may also offer to download a voter registration app on your phone, which is actually a malicious app allowing cybercriminals to steal personal data such as payment information and login credentials. Or they may send you a link to fake voter registration forms.

It’s important to remember that the trusted source for any election-related information is your state or local election official. To learn more about your state’s specific requirements and deadlines for registering to vote and voting, visit canivote.org.

Short Tutorial/FAQ – Why Are My Speed Test Results Lower Than Expected?



Question: When I recently did a speed test on my home’s internet connection, the speeds didn’t match what’s stated for my internet plan. How come?

Answer: Internet service providers typically advertise maximum download and upload speeds for plans, but actual speeds may come in lower. They can also vary day by day, or even hour by hour. This is because factors including these can affect the speeds:

• WiFi interference – Other electronic devices, physical obstacles like walls and doors, and even other WiFi networks nearby can impact your speed.
  
  
• Range from the router – The farther your device is from your WiFi router, the weaker the signal and, consequently, the slower the speed.
  
  
• Many devices – The more devices connected to your network, the more crowded your network becomes, and this can slow things down.
  
  
• Software updates and background activities – Sometimes, devices run necessary software updates or background processes that can take up a chunk of your bandwidth, causing a slower connection.
  
  
• Older devices – Devices with older WiFi technology take more time to transmit and receive data on your WiFi network, which can slow the entire network down.

It’s important to understand that advertised speeds are based on a wired connection. Wireless speeds will always be somewhat slower than this advertised speed as there are many variables that affect WiFi connectivity and performance. If possible, run a speed test from a computer that is connected via an ethernet cable to your modem or router. This will produce the most accurate speed test result.

Stay Alert – That Email Isn’t From Facebook Security

Scammers sometimes create fake emails that look like they’re from Facebook. For example, Facebook users have received phishing emails that claim their Facebook account was disabled due to breaching Facebook Community Standards.

Users are told they need to click on a link and then log in to appeal the decision. The link leads to a fraudulent website designed to resemble Facebook, which will likely ask you to enter your login information. Scammers are hoping the news that your Facebook account was disabled will result in you acting quickly and without thinking, so they’ll be able to capture your data.

To spot a Facebook phishing scam, check the sender’s email address. All legitimate emails come from an official Facebook.com email address. Make sure to click on the sender’s “From” name to see if it’s actually coming from Facebook. If not, it’s a scam. And as a general rule, always check the status of your Facebook account by using the Facebook mobile app or navigating to the site directly. Don’t click on a link in an email.

You can report an email of concern to phish@fb.com or through the report links that appear throughout Facebook.

Short Tutorial/FAQ – How Can I Spot AI-Generated Images?


QUESTION: How can I spot AI-generated images?

ANSWER: New artificial intelligence (AI) technology is becoming more sophisticated and easier to use, making it possible for just about anyone to create realistic-looking images. Unfortunately, this also means scammers are now using AI images to lend credibility to their tricks — like making a phony celebrity endorsement look real or convincing family members of a fake emergency.

The Better Business Bureau offers these tips for recognizing AI-generated images:

Find a high-resolution image and zoom in. If you see a surprising photo of a politician or celebrity, look closer before you believe what’s in the picture. Search the image in the highest-possible resolution and then zoom in. You’ll likely find a few giveaways if you’re looking at an AI-generated image. For example, there could be glasses that seem to melt into the person’s face, or fingers that don’t quite close around the coffee cup that’s hanging in midair.

Consider asymmetry and other physical inconsistencies. Less sophisticated versions of AI can have a hard time with physical traits. Asymmetry in human faces, teeth, and hands are common issues with poor quality AI images. You might notice hands with extra (or not enough) fingers, too. Another telltale sign is unnatural body proportions, such as ears, fingers, or feet that are disproportionately large or small.

Strange textures or a glossy effect. AI images often have textured backgrounds or an airbrushed look that real photos don’t share. You might also notice strange-looking backgrounds or sharp images with random blurry spots.