Miss the class? View our Thursday class here.Â
Learn more
Adding extensions in web browsers (below)
Passkeys (below)
Video:Â When a regular browser just won't work.
What are cookies? This video explains it, but Leo explains that they are used by every website. The website asks your permission because of legislation requiring your consent.
Top 5 web browsers 2025
Top 10 search engines
Open Google Chrome.
Go to the Chrome Web Store: https://chrome.google.com/webstore.
Use the search bar to find the extension you want.
Click on the extension, then select “Add to Chrome”.
A pop-up will appear—click “Add extension”.
The extension will be installed and can be accessed from the puzzle piece icon in the top-right corner.
Open Microsoft Edge.
Go to the Edge Add-ons Store: https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons.
Search for the extension you want to add.
Click on the extension, then select “Get”.
A pop-up will appear—click “Add extension”.
The extension will install, and you can access it from the Extensions menu.
Open Firefox.
Go to the Firefox Add-ons Store: https://addons.mozilla.org.
Search for the extension you want.
Click on the extension, then select “Add to Firefox”.
A pop-up will appear—click “Add”.
The extension will be installed and available in the Extensions menu.
Open Safari.
Click on “Safari” in the top menu and select “Safari Extensions” (this will open the Mac App Store).
Browse or search for the extension you want.
Click “Get” or “Install” and follow the instructions.
Once installed, go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions to enable it.
Open Opera.
Go to the Opera Add-ons Store: https://addons.opera.com.
Search for the extension you want.
Click on the extension, then select “Add to Opera”.
The extension will install and can be accessed from the Extensions menu.
Protecting your identity: Aura vs LifeLock
Just learned of a new tool for checking links. It is called Virus Total. Enter a file, an URL or more. Nice to have a second look!
Passkeys are a newer, safer way to sign into your accounts without remembering passwords. Let me explain how they work and why they're beneficial.
Passkeys are digital keys that replace traditional passwords. Think of them like a special digital key that only works for you.
Instead of typing a password that can be guessed or stolen, passkeys use your device's built-in security features (like fingerprint readers, face recognition, or PIN codes) to verify it's really you.
Setting up a passkey:
When creating an account or signing in to an existing one, you'll see an option to "Create a passkey"
Your device will ask you to verify yourself (using fingerprint, face scan, or PIN)
Once verified, the passkey is created and stored on your device
Signing in with a passkey:
Visit the website or open the app
Click "Sign in with a passkey"
Verify yourself using the same method (fingerprint, face, or PIN)
You're in! No password to type or remember
Passkeys work through a system that connects three parts:
The website or app (like your bank or email service)
Your device (phone, tablet, or computer)
Your biometric data or PIN (fingerprint, face, or security code)
When you create a passkey, your device generates a unique pair of digital keys:
A public key goes to the website
A private key stays securely on your device
The website can verify you using the public key, but only your device with your verification (fingerprint, etc.) can unlock the private key.
More secure: Can't be phished or stolen like passwords
Easier to use: No complex passwords to remember or type
Work across devices: Many passkeys can sync between your phone and computer
Faster sign-ins: Just a quick fingerprint or face scan instead of typing
No more password resets: Don't need to create new passwords if you forget them
Imagine visiting your bank's website:
You click "Sign in"
You select "Use passkey"
Your phone or computer asks you to verify with your fingerprint
You touch the fingerprint sensor
You're immediately signed in to your account
No password to type, no code to remember, and much harder for someone else to break into your account.
Many popular services now support passkeys, making them increasingly accessible. Here are some notable examples:
Google: Across all Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive)
Microsoft: Microsoft accounts, Office 365, Outlook
Apple: Apple ID, iCloud, App Store
Amazon: For shopping and Amazon services
Facebook/Meta: For account login
Instagram: For account security
X (formerly Twitter): For account access
LinkedIn: For professional account security
PayPal: For payment authentication
Shopify: For merchant accounts
Stripe: For payment processing accounts
eBay: For buyer and seller accounts
1Password: Fully supports passkeys
Dashlane: Offers passkey management
Bitwarden: Has implemented passkey support
Adobe: Creative Cloud accounts
Kayak: Travel booking
Best Buy: Retail accounts
Uber: Ride-sharing service
DoorDash: Food delivery app
Zoom: Video conferencing
Slack: Team communication
WhatsApp: Messaging service
DocuSign: Document signing