Internet News
Latest in Internet
FCC votes to move ahead with trashing net neutrality5/18/2017
But opponents vow to continue to fight during the public comment period
The GOP plan to trash net neutrality took a big step forward today as the Federal Communications Commission voted 2-1 along par… continue readingBy James R. Hood
Are you ready for a ransomware attack? Most consumers aren't5/18/2017
There are steps you can take to be more secure
Last week's massive ransomware attack that seized an estimated 200,000 computer systems in 150 countries demonstrated one thing very clearly -- most of us… continue readingBy Mark Huffman
Angie's List merging with HomeAdvisor5/2/2017
Two big home improvement sites get together
The review site Angie's List is merging with HomeAdvisor in a deal valued at over $500 million. The two brands will operate independently as a new publicly… continue readingBy James R. Hood
FCC head spells out plan to roll back net neutrality4/26/2017
Ajit Pai wants to give broadband jurisdiction back to the Federal Trade Commission
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai today unveiled his plans for scrapping net neutrality rules enacted by the Obama-era FCC.Pai… continue readingBy James R. Hood
Advertisers are the latest to embrace ad blocking4/21/2017
Even -- or perhaps especially -- advertisers worry about ads cluttering up the web
Believe it or not, the advertising industry is now talking up the idea of ad blockers.Concerned that annoying and intrusive ads are driving away web us… continue readingBy James R. Hood
Google takes more steps to root out fake news4/7/2017
It will display a fact-check flag on selected stories in its news feed
Google built its empire around keywords and made much of its ability to sort through gazillions of files without any boring old human editors, but it's now… continue readingBy James R. Hood
YouTube changes policy for monetizing videos4/7/2017
Content creators will now have to accrue 10,000 lifetime channel views before collecting money
For around five years now, consumers have been able to start a YouTube channel and automatically enroll in the site’s partner program. Basically, it’s the… continue readingBy Christopher Maynard
Study finds 178 million exposed cyber assets in the U.S.2/17/2017
Consumers can be spied on and could become part of a crime ring without adequate security
Are your cyber assets exposed? If so, you're not alone. A new study by Trend Micro finds that no fewer than 178 million internet-connected devices in the U… continue readingBy Truman Lewis
January, 2017
Why most of us still stand a good chance of getting hacked1/17/2017
Survey finds many consumers still use incredibly weak passwords
Apple goes along with censors -- blocks New York Times app in China1/5/2017
Fake news is fine but real news -- well, only if the government approves
December, 2016
California files new criminal charges against Backpage execs12/28/2016
A judge recently threw out similar charges but prosecutors say they have new evidence
Online market research firm agrees to clean up its tracking practices12/21/2016
Turn Inc., continued tracking consumers who had opted out, FTC charged
Why parents' use of media devices is just as bad as their children's12/7/2016
Researchers found that parents spend an exorbitant amount of time looking at screens
November, 2016
Facebook Internet drone had a rough landing11/22/2016
The test flight of Aquila was hailed as a success despite 'substantial' damage
SpaceX looks to provide high-speed internet to the global community11/17/2016
The company submitted an application to launch over 4,000 satellites
Consumers making heavy use of new iOS unsubscribe feature11/16/2016
The latest Apple upgrade makes it easier than ever to unsubscribe from pesky email lists
How many web pages are there? Google estimates 130 trillion11/15/2016
To avoid being swallowed up, sites are developing more personalized advertising
What consumers can do to make connected devices more secure11/8/2016
For starters, change the default password on all connected devices
October, 2016
Consumers increasingly vulnerable to the Internet of Things10/26/2016
But 43% may not have changed the default password on their home router
AT&T: most cyber attacks use old weapons10/25/2016
Report says businesses need to do better job of using existing cyber defenses
Here's what happened to the internet on Friday10/24/2016
And why it could happen again and again
Why the internet has gotten so annoying10/21/2016
Advertising threatens to obscure the web's more useful functions
Yahoo Mail turns its forwarding function back on10/14/2016
The company says the shutdown was part of a 'platform upgrade'
Yahoo disables email forwarding amidst privacy controversies10/11/2016
It claims the service is only being disabled temporarily
September, 2016
Gmail outage hits parts of U.S. and UK9/14/2016
The origin and scope of the problem are not known
August, 2016
Google nixes big ads that obscure mobile content 8/24/2016
Sites that use 'interstitial' ads may feel the sting, but most approve of Google's move
Why ransomware is about to get more dangerous8/17/2016
Attackers are franchising their malware
Google may be looking at a low-Fiber diet8/15/2016
Digging trenches is expensive and slow, the advertising powerhouse is learning
Appeals court slaps down FCC attempt to promote broadband competition8/11/2016
The commission had tried to override state laws that prohibit cities from providing broadband service
Comcast vs. Verizon: Who's the fastest of them all?8/10/2016
As with many things in life, it depends who you ask
Facebook will let you block specific ads but will be blocking ad blockers8/9/2016
It sounds confusing, but Facebook says it's trying to empower consumers
Feds push for stronger paid content disclosures8/8/2016
Some paid content isn't adequately labeled and some aren't even true
July, 2016
Could this be the answer to the ransomware threat?7/11/2016
Computer scientists create tool that limits the damage
Just how effective is antivirus software?7/8/2016
IT security experts increasingly ask the same question
June, 2016
Why would Mark Zuckerberg tape over his web camera?6/22/2016
Maybe because the inter-connected world is full of threats
May, 2016
How secure is the Internet of Things?5/19/2016
Experian says consumers should be concerned about the proliferation of connected products
Survey finds 85% of consumers prefer an ad-supported Internet5/12/2016
Something for nothing beats something you have to pay for, in other words
Adblock hits 100 million users; advertisers call it extortion5/10/2016
The company's "whitelist" lets some ads -- those that pay -- squeak through
April, 2016
Comcast announces plan to increase its monthly data caps4/29/2016
Critics say that it falls far short of what consumers really want, though
New broadband labels intended to make buying decisions simpler4/4/2016
Customers will know the price, data limits and speed of the service they're buying
March, 2016
Broadband Internet subsidy proposed for low-income consumers3/8/2016
FCC will consider expanding the current Lifeline program
AT&T creating a streaming version of DirecTV3/4/2016
Details are scarce but the service looks to be similar to Dish Network's Sling TV
February, 2016
Google Fiber burrowing into San Francisco2/25/2016
That brings to 10 the number of cities on Google's gigabit path
Social networks take 'unsubscribe me' honors2/22/2016
Coupon sites Groupon and LivingSocial send the most emails per user
AT&T announces its 5G roll out plans2/12/2016
Will join Verizon in field testing its technology later this year
Congress permanently bans taxes on Internet access; measure awaits Obama's signature2/11/2016
States that collect these taxes will need to cease doing so by 2020 if Obama signs the bill
January, 2016
U.S. continues to lag in broadband deployment -- 16th among developed nations1/8/2016
Annual FCC survey finds 34 million Americans still lack effective broadband
December, 2015
One-third of consumers likely to try ad-blockers12/18/2015
70% of survey respondents dislike ads that block content
Teens and social media: is generation Z addicted?12/14/2015
A tool for communication may have become something more damaging
October, 2015
Critics say Experian CEO should resign after the latest data breach10/5/2015
Pending legislation would give companies immunity for data breaches if they agree to share data with the feds
June, 2015
FTC warns publishers to be careful with "native advertising"6/5/2015
Sponsored content is profitable but may be considered deceptive if not clearly labeled
April, 2015
U.S. and European police shut down massive malware-spreading Beebone botnet4/9/2015
Servers seized in Europe infected computers in the U.S.
February, 2015
AT&T to GigaPower home Internet customers: online privacy costs $29 extra per month2/18/2015
Even if you do pay, AT&T still reserves the right to "collect and use web browsing information"
November, 2014
Newly discovered comment security bug affects 86% of WordPress blogs11/24/2014
Even if you only read blogs without commenting, you need to be wary of this
Use caution when searching Internet for weight-loss advice11/20/2014
Don't just click on the first link
Cats crusade against cybercensorship11/3/2014
Pussy Cat Riot protests censor of the Internet by China, Russia
October, 2014
Security flaw found in mandatory smart meters10/2/2014
Hackers could “turn the lights off in a city or neighborhood”
August, 2014
How to stop annoying Internet videos from autoplaying8/25/2014
Video is fine, but you should decide when and if they play
June, 2014
Public wi-fi hotspots are more dangerous than you think6/23/2014
Is it Xfinity or AT&T ... or a malicious hacker pretending to be?
November, 2013
Satellite Internet: Which plan is best for you?11/5/2013
Three providers offer a variety of speed, capacity and price
July, 2013
Web giants to deaf consumers: go away7/30/2013
Internet Association says it shouldn't have to accommodate disabled Americans
January, 2013
Care.com: Is it the Craigslist of the future?1/21/2013
The website not only gives you access to workers, it makes checking backgrounds easy.
Ancestry.com: Useful or Stressful?1/9/2013
We looked at what some of our readers had to say, and the news isn't so good
December, 2012
Mugshot.com and UnpublishArrest.com: Partners in crime info?12/17/2012
Mugshot publishes photos, Unpublish takes payoffs to take them down
November, 2012
DIRECTV and Exede to Bundle TV, Internet Service11/20/2012
Consumers may order from either company
October, 2012
Court Upholds Right to Criticize Companies on the Web10/22/2012
Use of trademarked name in web page title and meta tags does not constitute infringement, appeals court holds
September, 2012
New Site Allows You To Permanently Unsubscribe From Unwanted Emails9/25/2012
The founder of Unroll.me talks about his new company and deleting those annoying messages.
July, 2012
Yelp - a Big Bully or the Consumer's Friend?7/2/2012
Businesses claim Yelp badgers them into buying advertising
October, 2011
Google Weighing a Bid for Yahoo?10/22/2011
Report says Google may try to snatch Yahoo out of the arms of Microsoft
September, 2011
Internet Marketer To Pay $800,000 To Settle Florida Charges9/28/2011
Free offers saddled consumers with monthly charges
July, 2011
'Reputation Management' Becoming Big Business on the Web7/19/2011
Companies hire outside muscle to put the best face on their public personas
Google-NSA Secrets Can Stay That Way, Judge Rules7/15/2011
Spy agency won't confirm or deny its dealings with Google
July, 2009
New York Settles Astroturfing Charges With Plastic Surgeon7/14/2009
Employees posted bogus reviews online
April, 2009
FCC Pressed To Defend Wireless Open Internet4/3/2009
AT&T, T-Mobile accused of cutting services, blocking applications
June, 2007
Blogger, Journalist, Citizen: Which is Which6/4/2007
Ailing Traditional Media Resist the Encroaching Hordes
February, 2007
New York Upholds Consumers' Right to Criticize2/19/2007
Companies Can Not Stifle Their Customers' Free Speech Rights
April, 2006
Congress Retreats from Guaranteeing Internet Neutrality4/7/2006
Verizon is rushing to assure American consumers that it won't block content transmitted over the Internet
August, 2005
The Web's A Dangerous Place8/9/2005
Consumer Reports Has Some Tips to Reduce the Risk