| This guide to using the web will cover how to do | | | | be or not to be.' Happy searching and good luck! |
| basic searches, use directories and portals, and | | | | Next, we'll be learning about directories and portals |
| protect your safety on-line. | | | | and protecting your safety on the Internet. |
| When you're on the Internet, you may want to find | | | | Now that you've mastered the search, you can |
| information or a particular website but not know the | | | | make your life even easier by letting someone else |
| site's name or where to look. That's when search | | | | do the work for you ' directories and portals. |
| engines can help. Search engines will help you find the | | | | Directories and portals are sort of a simpler form of |
| pages that you want. | | | | search engine. A directory divides items and |
| Searching the Internet is easy to do. Just choose a | | | | information into categories to make it easier to find. |
| search engine, type in what you're looking for, and hit | | | | A portal does the same thing, but it will often display |
| the 'Submit' button. But getting good results is the | | | | feature items or news stories that it thinks may |
| hard part! | | | | interest you. Most directories and portals are sorted |
| There are billions of pages on the Internet, so it's | | | | by topic. If you want information on 'cruises,' just |
| easy to be frustrated by search results that turn up | | | | look under their 'Travel' category and you'll find it! |
| pages you don't want. There are a few 'advanced' | | | | The Internet is a great tool. There are many benefits |
| tips that you can use to get better search results: | | | | to using the Internet, but there are also risks. These |
| First, avoid using common words. Most search | | | | risks include contracting computer 'viruses' that can |
| engines won't even include words like 'the' or 'a' in | | | | harm your computer and having your personal |
| their search, so it's best to leave them out. Second, | | | | information fall into the wrong hands. Here are some |
| keep it short. Don't write out full sentences or | | | | tips for avoiding both these problems: |
| questions. Just use the 'key words.' So, if you want | | | | First ' computer viruses; computer viruses are small |
| to know where you can find a mechanic in Seattle ' | | | | pieces of software and like real viruses, they spread |
| try searching for 'mechanic Seattle.' | | | | from one computer to another. They can cause your |
| Another neat trick is using simple arithmetic. Say you | | | | computer to malfunction or work very slowly. The |
| want to find a mechanic in Seattle, but you only | | | | best defense against computer viruses is installing |
| want motorcycle mechanics. Try typing in 'mechanic | | | | up-to-date anti-virus software. Other defenses |
| Seattle +motorcycles'. By putting a plus symbol you | | | | include not opening email attachments unless you are |
| are telling the search engine to only include results | | | | expecting a file, and not downloading any files from |
| that include the term 'motorcycles.' If you want to | | | | the Internet unless you trust the source. |
| leave out results that include the word 'motorcycles,' | | | | Second ' keeping your personal information safe; the |
| just use a minus symbol, so 'mechanic Seattle | | | | best way to do this is to keep your personal |
| -motorcycles.' | | | | information private. Never give out passwords or |
| If you're searching for something very specific like a | | | | information to people or websites that aren't safe |
| quote or a business name, try putting quote symbols | | | | and trusted. Keep your credit card and banking |
| around it so the search engine will look for that exact | | | | information as protected as you would in real life. It's |
| phrase. This is very helpful if what you're looking for | | | | okay to shop on-line, but do so at sites that have |
| has many common words, like 'I am what I am' or 'to | | | | privacy and security policies. |