Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog

HomeBlog
Internet Browser Do’s and Don’ts

Internet Browser Do’s and Don’ts

March 20, 2025

Your Internet browser is probably one of your most used apps. For this reason, it is important to know how to effectively use it. Regardless of what browser you use, you need to understand how to use these four very useful features. Let’s dig in.

Use (and Keep Up With) Tabs

Browsers let you keep multiple pages open at once, and before you know it, you've got 37 of them cluttering your screen like digital junk mail. This isn’t great and can have you digging for information. Here’s some ways you can manage your tab usage.

  • Use pinned tabs for stuff you check often (email, messaging apps, etc.). Right-click a tab and hit Pin. It’ll stay small and out of the way.
  • Group tabs if your browser allows it. This is a lifesaver if you’re juggling different projects.
  • Regularly close tabs you don’t need. If you haven’t clicked on it in the last hour, you probably won’t miss it.

Keyboard Shortcuts Will Change Your Life

Forget dragging your cursor all over the screen. Your keyboard can do the heavy lifting. Here are some shortcuts that’ll make you feel like a wizard:

  • Ctrl + T (Cmd + T on Mac) - Opens a new tab.
  • Ctrl + Shift + T - Reopens the tab you accidentally closed (magic!).
  • Ctrl + W - Closes the current tab (goodbye distractions).
  • Ctrl + Tab - Switches between tabs (no more clicking around).
  • Ctrl + L - Jumps straight to the address bar so you can type in a new website fast.

Using Bookmarks

Everyone needs bookmarks in their life. Just hit Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac) to save a page. Better yet, organize them into folders; one for work, one for entertainment, and one for all those random recipes you collect and swear you are going to make someday.

Incognito Mode Isn’t Shady

Yes, incognito mode keeps your browsing history private (we won’t ask why you need that), but it’s also great for:

  • Checking flight prices without airlines tracking you.
  • Logging into multiple accounts at once.
  • Testing how a website looks to a first-time visitor.

Of course, incognito mode doesn’t hide your web habits from your ISP, your employer, or anyone else on the network, so you should always browse safely.

Getting to know these features will instantly make you better at navigating your Internet browser. For more great tips and tricks, check out our blog.

Previous Post
April 11, 2025
A Password Manager is an Essential Security Measure for Businesses
Modern cybersecurity requires you to lock down numerous access points to protect your business, using various tools to accomplish sufficient security precautions. The password manager is one such tool that can genuinely save your metaphorical bacon.
April 9, 2025
How to Keep BYOD from Tanking Your Business Security
Imagine for a moment a world where you don’t have to distribute devices to your employees and can instead rely on your team to provide them. With Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD, businesses can leverage employee-owned devices to their advantage for work-related purposes. There is a catch, though: you have to make sure they’re used safely.
April 7, 2025
3 of the Most Common Malware You’ll Encounter (And What to Do About Them)
Malware can be scary to talk about, but it’s a topic that you should be intimately familiar with, or at least aware of, if you want to keep your business running. These days, you can’t do much of anything online without potentially exposing yourself and your organization to a security risk. Today, we want to explore the different types of malware you might encounter and why it’s so important to take action today to limit their influence on your business.

Have a project in mind?

Start with our free consultation. We will provide a detailed proposal and firm quote based on your specific IT support needs. All at a predictable monthly cost per seat.
Free Consultation - Sign Up Here