| How to Manage Your Digital Footprint Posted: 06 Jan 2021 04:00 PM PST A "digital footprint" is basically your entire online presence—all of the information, posts, pictures, and data you put online, whether purposely or not.[1] The more information you put online, the more people can learn about you. This could be a problem, like if your boss sees inappropriate social media posts or a thief finds your banking information. Luckily, it only takes a few simple steps to present a positive image online, so get started now! [Edit]Search yourself online to see what comes up. - You have to know exactly what your digital footprint is to manage it well. Search for yourself on a few different search engines to see the results that come up. Make a list of anything questionable or unprofessional that you'd like to get rid of or improve.[2]
- Check beyond the first page of Google or Yahoo. Go a few pages in to really uncover the results that show up.
- To really stay on top of your online presence, set a Google alert for your own name. That way, you'll get a notification if anything mentioning you appears online.[3]
[Edit]Delete anything that doesn't portray you well. - You might find some unprofessional posts when you search for yourself. This means that anyone can potentially see them, which could hurt you in your personal and professional life. Delete all of this as soon as possible. This way, people like bosses or potential employers won't see them.[4]
- Generally, questionable content includes profanity, risque photos, drinking, or rude comments. Delete these if they show up, and resist posting more in the future.[5]
- You can't always control what shows up online by yourself. For more help, contact the search engine that the results show up on and ask them to delete it. For example, Google allows you to report personal or private information showing up on their search engine by visiting https://support.google.com/legal/answer/3110420?visit_id=637400173194920762-1498842875&rd=1.
- You can follow a similar process for Yahoo by visiting https://help.yahoo.com/kb/SLN4530.html.
- Remember that removing something from a search engine doesn't remove it from the internet entirely. It will still show up on the site that published it, so you'll have to contact the site administrator to get rid of that.
[Edit]Stay professional whenever you post something online. - "Think before you post" is the best guideline. Think about all the implications of the posts you made, and only share things that show you in a positive, professional light. This way, you won't have to be embarrassed if your family or potential employers see your posts.[6]
- Try to avoid posting something if you're feeling emotional or angry. You might not be thinking about the bigger implications of what you say.
- If you aren't sure whether or not something is appropriate to post online, ask a few people for their opinions first. If they say it's not professional, then it's best to avoid posting it.
[Edit]Shut down profiles or accounts you don't use anymore. - There's no point in keeping accounts that you don't use. Having all these accounts open just increases the amount of information about you online. This clutters your online presence, so close or delete any accounts that you don't use anymore.[7]
- Usually, deleting an account doesn't get rid of images or posts that have been shared on other platforms. If you want to get rid of something, you might have to contact the platform that it was shared on.[8]
[Edit]Update the information on your professional online profiles. - Part of a good digital footprint is presenting a professional image. This means that the accounts and profiles you do use should be accurate and up to date. Go through your accounts and update any old details so potential employers or colleagues see accurate information.[9]
- On your LinkedIn profile, for example, make sure you list your current job and contact information. Otherwise, potential employers might not be able to find you.
- This isn't always necessary, especially for non-professional accounts. For instance, your Twitter followers don't necessarily have to know where you work.
[Edit]Share achievements and information that you're proud of. - This is a great way to keep your online presence professional. If you've had any professional or personal achievements, published articles, attended conferences, or improved yourself, share that on social media. You'll quickly cultivate a positive online presence.[10]
- This is especially important for professional sites like LinkedIn. Visitors want to see the positive things you've done.
- Potential employers tend to like seeing volunteer work and membership in professional organizations, so be sure to share any of these activities on your pages.[11]
[Edit]Set your account options to private. - Most social media platforms have privacy settings, so use them. Adjust the settings on all of your platforms to control and limit who can see your posts. Keeping your accounts private like this could help you avoid any embarrassment from someone seeing posts that you didn't want them to see.[12]
- There are usually a few levels of privacy settings. You could limit posts to only your friends or followers seeing them, prevent commenting or interaction on some posts, and even select specifically who can and can't see your posts.
- Remember that using privacy settings is not a substitute for being careful about what you post. Still avoid making inappropriate posts, even if your accounts are locked down.[13]
[Edit]Guard all of your passwords and usernames. - Managing your digital footprint is about protecting your identity too. If you're sloppy with your passwords, accounts, and information online, hackers and thieves could steal your identity. To protect yourself, set strong, unique usernames and passwords for all of your online accounts. This decreases the risk of hackers accessing your accounts.[14]
- Using an online password manager can help you remember your passwords. Programs like OneLogin, Dashlane, and 1Password store your passwords and can automatically generate new, strong ones.
- If you have trouble keeping track of your passwords, write down a list in a notebook or planner and keep it in a safe spot. You could also keep a list saved on your desktop, but hackers could find that information if they gain access to your computer.
- Also avoid sharing this information on your social media or public accounts. Hackers could also get your information if you post it anywhere.
[Edit]Use private or incognito windows for web browsing. - Every time you search for something online, that information is stored. Private or incognito browsers keep you anonymous and prevent the browser from storing your search information. This prevents web browsers from building a profile for you based on your search data.[15]
- Using private web browsers is a good way to avoid getting flooded with advertisements when you search, since the browser hasn't compiled a search history for you.
- Incognito windows are also good for protecting your financial information. Shopping sites could store your credit card information without you realizing it, for example, which won't happen on a private browser.
[Edit]Delete cookies every few months to clear tracking data. - Cookies are used to track your search data for specific sites. This is supposed to make your web experience more convenient because sites will remember you, but it could also store your personal information. To avoid this, make a habit of clearing the cookies on your web browser every few months to get rid of anything that could be tracking your activity.[16]
- When you delete all cookies, you'll usually have to sign back in to any accounts you had open, and you'll lose some of your search history.
- Cookies are sometimes convenient for sites that you use frequently. For example, a cookie from your bank can remember your device and you won't have to re-authenticate your computer every time you log on. You could select the cookies you want to keep if you want to have these options.
[Edit]Use the "Checkout as a Guest" option for online shopping. - Making different shopping accounts puts a ton of information online. Luckily, many sites are now offering "Checkout as a Guest" options. This means you won't have to make an account and save your personal information to shop.[17]
- If you do have a lot of online shopping accounts, you can always close or delete them to get your information off the website.
- All of these rules apply to your mobile device too. Browsing on your smartphone can put your data online the same way that using your computer does.
- If you have trouble resisting the urge to make inappropriate posts online, then you might want to step away from social media for a while. This is a better option than making posts you might regret.
[Edit]References |
| How to Use Shaving Cream Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:00 AM PST No matter where you want to get rid of unwanted hair, shaving cream and a razor are the only tools you'll need. Using shaving cream can seem like a chore, but it actually helps you get a closer shave and reduces irritation. Go slowly when you first start out to avoid any nicks or razor burns, and don't be afraid to use a mirror in hard-to-see places. [Edit]Application - Wet your skin with warm water. Step into the shower or grab a wet washcloth, then soak the part of your body that you're going to shave for about 5 minutes. This will help to open up your pores and soothe your skin so that you get a smoother, cleaner shave.[1]
- If you're shaving your face, it's probably easier to use a washcloth than to stand in the shower.
- Lather the shaving cream in your hands for the easiest application. Squirt out an almond-sized dab of shaving cream in your hands, then rub your palms together. Do this for about 5 seconds until the shaving cream looks smooth and frothy.[2]
- If you have sensitive skin, look for a shaving cream that says "soothing" or "for sensitive skin."
- Use a shaving brush and a bowl to make the shaving cream smoother. If you're shaving your face and you'd like a smoother application, squirt your shaving cream into a shaving bowl, then use the shaving brush to swirl it around. Keep doing this for about 1 minute until the shaving cream looks white and frothy.[3]
- You really only need to use a shaving bowl and brush if you're shaving your face. If you're working on other parts of your body, don't worry about it.
- Rub the shaving cream onto the area of your body. Taking your foamy shaving cream, apply a thick layer all over the area you'd like to shave. If you're shaving your legs, lather up one leg at a time so you don't have to worry about accidentally rinsing off any shaving cream.[4]
- You shouldn't be able to see your skin at all under the layer of shaving cream.
[Edit]How to Shave - Shave your face in the direction your hair grows. Use short strokes with your razor, pulling it across your face with the grain of your hair. This helps reduce irritation and razor burn once you're finished.[5]
- A single-blade razor will give you the closest shave and the least irritation.
- Stretch the skin tight to get the closest shave. Lower your jaw to make the skin on your cheeks taut and tilt your head up when you start shaving your neck.
- Move your razor around to get all your underarm hair. Armpit hairs tend to grow in all different directions, so you might have to turn your razor a few times to get a close shave. Try going sideways and diagonally until you feel a smooth, flat surface underneath your arms.[6]
- Everybody's armpit hair grows a little differently, so you might have to try a few different directions until you find what's right for you.
- Go against the direction your hair grows on your legs. Grab your razor and press it lightly over your skin. Drag the razor up toward you, going in the opposite direction that your hair grows. Pass over each section multiple times to give your legs a silky smooth finish.[7]
- Make sure you're using a fresh razor that hasn't been used too many times. Using a dull razor can cut your legs or give you a rash, and no one wants to deal with that.
- If you get ingrown hairs often, try shaving in the direction that your hair grows instead.[8]
- Shave with the grain of your hair in short strokes on your pubic area. If you need to, pull back any loose skin with your free hand. Rinse the razor off periodically so you can see what you're doing, and go super slow around sensitive areas so you don't accidentally cut yourself.[9]
- Use a hand mirror to look at areas that may be difficult to see otherwise.
- If you do accidentally cut yourself on your pubic area, it's not the end of the world. Rinse off the shaving cream, then hold toilet paper against the cut until it stops bleeding.
[Edit]Aftercare - Rinse the area with water to get rid of all the shaving cream. You can grab a wet washcloth or stand under the shower for this part. Make sure you really rinse off all the shaving cream to avoid any itchiness when it dries.[10]
- If your skin feels irritated, use cold water to help soothe your pores.
- Pat your skin dry with a towel. Your skin might be feeling a little more sensitive than usual, so go slow with your movements. Make sure your skin is totally dry before you get dressed for the day.[11]
- Microfiber towels are usually less scratchy than cotton ones, and they can help if your skin is feeling irritated.
- Apply baby oil or a moisturizer to keep your skin soft. If you shaved your body, you can add a bit of fragrance-free moisturizer to soothe your skin. Lotions with aloe vera can help to reduce razor burn, especially in sensitive areas.[12]
- Stay away from lotions or creams that have fragrance in them. The harsh chemicals can dry out your skin or sting on small cuts.
- Put on aftershave if you shaved your face. Aftershave is optional, but it can help to close your pores and prevent irritation. Splash a few drops of aftershave onto your hands, then pat it onto your face all over the area you just shaved.[13]
- If you have sensitive skin, aftershave may sting or burn a little.
- Aftershave usually has a little bit of fragrance in it. If you aren't a fan of the cologne smell, go for a natural option, like witch hazel.
- Find a shaving cream made for sensitive skin if you're prone to irritation.
[Edit]Warnings - Work slowly when you're shaving to avoid cutting yourself. Be especially careful around sensitive areas of your body.
[Edit]References |
| How to Change Mouse Settings Posted: 06 Jan 2021 12:00 AM PST Mice are one of the main ways we interact with our computers, so it's natural that people will have different preferences when it comes to using a mouse. If you are left-handed, switching your primary mouse button can make using the computer much easier. You can also change how fast the pointer moves, the speed with which you need to double-click, the color, and more. This wikiHow teaches you how to adjust your mouse settings. [Edit]Using Windows - Open the mouse settings. Use the following steps to open the mouse settings in Windows 10:
- Click the Windows Start menu in the lower-left corner.
- Click the Settings or icon that resembles a gear.
- Click Devices.
- Click Mouse in the panel to the left.
- Select the primary button. Use the drop-down menu at the top to select if you want to use the right or left button as the primary mouse button.
- Change the mouse wheel settings. Use the following options to change the mouse wheel settings:
- Use the drop-down menu next to "Roll mouse wheel to scroll" to select if the mouse wheel scrolls through lines or a full screen at a time.
- Use the slider below "Choose how many lines to scroll each time" to select how many lines will scroll when you roll the mouse wheel 1 interval.
- Click . It's below "Related settings" to the right. This displays options to adjust the mouse cursor size and color.
- Change the mouse cursor size. Use the slider below "Change pointer size" to adjust the size of the mouse cursor on the screen.
- Change the mouse cursor color. To change the mouse cursor color, you can click the icon with the white cursor or the black cursor. You can also click the option to change the mouse cursor from black to white, depending on the background. Finally, you can pick a custom mouse cursor color. Use the following steps to pick a custom mouse cursor color.
- Click the icon that resembles a green mouse cursor next to a color wheel.
- Click one of the suggested color swatches, or click the plus (+) icon to pick a custom color.
- Click a color in the color array (if picking a custom color).
- Use the slider bar below the array to adjust the color hue.
- Click Done.
- Change the text cursor thickness. Use the slider bar below "Change cursor thickness" to change the thickness of the text cursor in certain apps like Notepad.
- This does not work for all text apps.
- Click in the upper-left corner. When you are done adjusting the color and size of the mouse cursor, click the arrow pointing left in the upper-left corner to return to the previous screen.
- Click . It's below "Related settings" to the right. This opens the Mouse Properties window.
- Change your double-click speed. Use the slider bar below "Double-click speed" to adjust how fast you need to double-click an object for it to register as a double-click.
- Change your pointers. Click the Pointers tab to change the cursor's look and style. You can use the "Scheme" drop-down menu to choose from any of the pre-installed cursors. You can download custom cursors online and then load them by clicking Browse at the bottom, but always make sure you're downloading from a safe location. All the different cursors in the package are listed below "Customize."
- Additionally, you can click the checkbox next to "Enable pointer shadow" to add a drop shadow to your mouse cursor.
- Adjust the mouse movement. Click the Pointer Options tab to change how the mouse cursor moves around on the screen. Use the following options to adjust your mouse movement:
 - Use the slider below "Select a pointer speed" to adjust how quickly the mouse moves around the screen. You'll be able to test the effects as soon as you adjust the slider.
- Check the "Enhance pointer precision" box to turn on mouse acceleration. This helps make moving the mouse around more natural. If you play video games, however, this should be turned off. This is because mouse acceleration makes it more difficult to be perfectly precise when aiming.
- Check the "Snap To" box to automatically move the cursor to the default button on any windows that appear. If you are browsing the internet, this isn't recommended as it can lead to accidentally clicking malicious buttons.
- Check the "Display pointer trail" box to add a trail effect when you move your mouse cursor.
- Check the "Hide pointer while typing" to remove the cursor when you are typing. Again, this doesn't work for all text apps.
- Check the checkbox next to "Show location of pointer when I press CTRL key" to highlight the mouse cursor when you press the Ctrl key.
- Change how fast your wheel scrolls. The settings in the Wheel tab affect how fast you can scroll through documents and web pages.
- The "Vertical Scrolling" speed is dictated by lines-per-click. You can also set it to scroll a whole screen at a time. This is similar to the settings in the Mouse Settings menu.
- The "Horizontal Scrolling" speed is dictated by characters at a time. Not all mice support horizontal scrolling.
- Check the drivers for malfunctioning mice. The Hardware tab displays the mice that are currently installed, as well as their status. You can see more details as well as update or rollback the driver by selecting a mouse and clicking the Properties... button.
- Click . When you are finished changing your Mouse settings, click Apply in the lower-right corner to apply the changes you have made.
[Edit]Using a Mac - Open the Mouse settings app in System Preferences. The Mouse settings app will look different depending on if you are using a standard mouse, a Apple Magic Mouse, or a trackpad. Use the following steps to open the Mouse settings app:
- Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click Mouse.
- Adjust the settings for a standard mouse. If you have a standard mouse connected, there are a few options you can change. They are as follows:
- Check the checkbox next to "Scroll direction: Natural" to reverse the direction of the mouse wheel scrolling.
- Use the slider below "Tracking Speed" to adjust how fast the mouse cursor moves on screen.
- Use the slider below "Scrolling speed" to adjust how fast the mouse wheel scrolls.
- Use the slider below "Double-Click speed" to adjust how fast you need to double-click an object for it to register as a double-click.
- Click the radio option next to "Left" or "Right" to select which button you want to use as your primary mouse button.
- Adjust the Magic Mouse settings. If you have a Magic Mouse, you'll have two menus to choose when you open the Mouse menu in System Preferences: "Point & Click" and "More Gestures". Use the following steps to adjust the Magic Mouse settings:[1]
- Click the Point & Click tab to access the point and click menu.
- Check the checkbox next to "Scroll direction: Natural" to reverse the direction of the mouse scrolling.
- Check the checkbox next to "Secondary Click" to change the primary and secondary click buttons from right to left.
- Check the checkbox next to "Smart Zoom" to enable zoom by double-tapping with one finger.
- Use the slider below "Tracking Speed" to adjust how fast the mouse cursor moves on screen.
- Click the More Gestures to access the More Gestures menu.
- Check the checkbox next to "Swipe between pages" to enable swiping left and right on the mouse to swipe between pages.
- Check the checkbox next to "Swipe between full-screen apps" to enable swiping left and right with two fingers to swipe between different apps.
- Check the checkbox next to "Mission Control" to enable double-tapping with two fingers to open Mission Control.
- Adjust your trackpad settings. Like the Magic Mouse settings, you'll see a "Point & Click" section and a "More Gestures" section. There will also be a "Scroll & Zoom" section, which handles how the trackpad tracks your fingers to scroll and zoom content. Use the following options to change the Trackpad settings:[2]
 - Click the Point & Click tab to access the Point & Click menu.
- Check the checkbox next to "Look up & data detectors" to enable and choose a gesture to use to quickly lookup a word or quick task.
- Check the checkbox next to "Secondary click" to enable and select a gesture to use as a secondary (right) click.
- Check the checkbox next to "Tap to click" to enable tapping with one finger to click.
- Check the checkbox next to "Look up" to enabling looking up a word in the dictionary by double-tapping with three fingers.
- Use the slider below "Click" to change how hard you need to press the trackpad to click or take action.
- Use the slider below "Tracking Speed" to adjust how fast the mouse cursor moves on screen.
- Check the checkbox next to "Silent click" to turn off the clicking sound the computer makes when you click the trackpad.
- Click the checkbox next to "Force Click and haptic feedback" to enable hard-pressing the touchpad to take certain actions.
- Click the Scroll & Zoom tab to access the Scroll & Zoom menu.
- Check the checkbox next to "Scroll direction: Natural" to reverse the direction of scrolling.
- Check the checkbox next to "Zoom in or out" to use the finger pinching gesture on the trackpad to zoom in or out.
- Check the checkbox next to "Smart zoom" to zoom in or out by double-tapping with two fingers.
- Check the checkbox next to "Rotate" to enable rotating two fingers on the trackpad to rotate an object on the screen.
- Click the More Gestures to access more gesture options.
- Check the checkbox next to "Swipe between pages" to enable and select a gesture to use to swipe between pages.
- Check the checkbox next to "Swipe between full-screen apps" to enable and choose a gesture to use to swipe between apps.
- Check the checkbox next to "Notification Center" to enable and select a gesture to use to open the Notification Center.
- Check the checkbox next to "Mission Control" to enable and select a gesture to use to open the Mission Control.
- Check the checkbox next to "App Exposé" to enable and select a gesture to use to open Exposé.
- Check the checkbox next to "Launchpad" to enable pinching your thumb and three fingers to open Launchpad.
- Check the checkbox next to "Show Desktop" to enable spreading your thumb and three fingers apart to show the desktop.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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