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Category: Technology

  • Password Managers Explained

    The average person has dozens, if not hundreds, of online accounts. Remembering a unique, strong password for each one is practically impossible, which is why so many people reuse the same few passwords everywhere. Password managers offer a better solution.

    How they work

    A password manager stores all your passwords in an encrypted vault. You only need to remember one strong master password to unlock it. The manager can then fill in your login details automatically on websites and apps.

    Generating strong passwords

    Most password managers can create long, random passwords for each new account. Because you never need to type or remember them, they can be as complex as you like.

    Is it safe to put everything in one place?

    A well-designed password manager encrypts your data on your own device before it is synced anywhere, so even the company running the service cannot read your passwords. The bigger risk for most people is reusing passwords, because a single breach on one website can expose all their other accounts.

    Add a second layer

    Protect your password manager with two-factor authentication. Even if someone discovers your master password, they will still need access to your phone or security key to get in.

  • How Image Compression Makes the Web Faster

    Images make up a large share of the data downloaded when you visit a typical web page. Optimising them is one of the most effective ways to make a website load faster, and it often requires no changes to the design at all.

    Lossy and lossless compression

    Lossless compression reduces file size without changing a single pixel, by storing the data more efficiently. Lossy compression goes further, discarding detail that the human eye is unlikely to notice. Done carefully, lossy compression can shrink an image dramatically while it still looks identical to most visitors.

    Modern formats

    Newer formats such as WebP and AVIF typically produce much smaller files than traditional JPEG and PNG at similar visual quality. Most modern browsers support them, and websites can serve them with a fallback for older browsers.

    Serving the right size

    A common mistake is uploading a photo straight from a camera, thousands of pixels wide, and displaying it in a small box on the page. Responsive images let the browser choose an appropriately sized version for each screen, so a phone does not download a file meant for a large desktop monitor.

    Why it matters

    Faster pages keep visitors engaged, reduce mobile data usage and are favoured by search engines. For an online shop or a blog, a lighter page can mean more readers and more sales.

  • Why You Should Restart Your Router More Often

    "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" It sounds like a joke, but for home routers, a simple restart solves a surprising number of problems. Understanding why can help you keep your connection running smoothly.

    Routers are small computers

    A router has a processor, memory and an operating system, just like a laptop. Over days and weeks of continuous operation, small software errors and memory leaks can build up, making the device slower or less stable.

    Clearing the connection table

    Every device on your network, from phones to smart TVs, creates connections that the router has to track. A restart clears this table and gives the router a clean start, which can fix sluggish browsing or devices that refuse to connect.

    Choosing a better channel

    When a router restarts, many models automatically scan for the least crowded Wi-Fi channel. In apartment buildings full of competing networks, this alone can noticeably improve speed.

    Keep the firmware updated

    Restarting is a quick fix, but updating the router's firmware is just as important. Updates fix security vulnerabilities and bugs. Many modern routers update automatically, but older models may require you to log in to their settings page and check manually.