Oops! What Did I Click? A Basic Guide for Staying in Control Online
- Nicholas Polachi
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
Ever felt like your computer has a mind of its own? You’re not alone! We’ve all yelled, "Why won’t this window close?!" or wondered if an email from “your bank” is really from your bank. Let’s slow down and go over some super basic — but super important — computer and internet skills.
How to Close a Window (No, Not the One in Your House!)
When we say window on a computer, we’re not talking about glass panes you open for fresh air. A window is just what a program or website looks like on your screen.
To close it:
Look for a little X in the top right corner (Windows) or top left corner (Mac).
Click it once — poof! — the window should close.
Tip: If it doesn’t close, don’t panic! You can press Alt + F4 to force it to close.
When All Else Fails: Stop Everything with Task Manager
Sometimes, a program just refuses to listen. Your computer might freeze, or a pop-up begins to tell you that there is a virus, or nothing works. It's time to force your computer to stop what it is doing.
Here’s your “emergency brake”:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Choose Task Manager.
You’ll see a list of running programs.
Right click the one that’s not responding or refusing to close (it might say “Not responding” next to it).
Then Left click End Task.
Important Note: Only close the program that’s frozen — don’t go clicking things you don’t recognize!
What Is a URL (and Why Should You Care)?
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator — but who remembers that?!) is the address of a website. It’s what you type at the top of your browser, like:
Why check it?
Scammers make fake websites that look like your bank but have addresses like:
or
How to check:
Look at the address bar at the very top of your browser.
Make sure it matches exactly.
Legit websites usually start with https (that "s" means secure).
Is This Email Really from My Friend (or My Bank)?
Scammers are sneaky. They can make an email look like it’s from your friend or bank, but it’s actually from them.
How they trick you:
They use a fake display name (“Your Bank”) but a strange email address underneath (like authenticationmail@trust.ameribank7.com).
They copy logos and signatures to look real.
How to check:
Hover your mouse over the sender’s name (or any links within the email) — you’ll see the actual email address or web address pop up.
If it looks weird or ends in something suspicious (like @gmail.com for a bank), it’s fake.
If an email asks you to click a link to log in, don’t! Instead, open your browser and type the website address yourself.
An Extra Tip
If an email sounds urgent and threatening ("Your account will be closed today!"), it’s probably fake. Banks don’t send scary ultimatums via email! If you genuinely aren't sure, give the company a call at the phone number you have for them OR the legitimate business number listed on their website.
Key Takeaways
Close windows by clicking the X (not by grabbing a hammer).
Task Manager is your "get out of jail free card" for frozen programs.
Check URLs carefully — small differences can mean big trouble.
Double-check emails — hover over the sender to see the real address.
Final Words (and a Virtual Hug)
Tech can be frustrating — but don’t let it scare you. Learning these basic steps helps you stay safe and feel more confident.
If something feels off, take a breath, ask a friend, or step away for a snack. You’re in charge of your computer — not the other way around.