1998
The Net Shack
Helping people learn the internet, email, browsers, safety, and basic web tools.
Free since 1998
Internet help
Webmaster resources
The Net Shack
Long before social media, smartphones, and AI, The Net Shack was helping beginners learn email, web browsing, online safety, website creation, and practical internet tools.
Respect your elders. The Net Shack is one of Surflocal's original internet help resources, preserved and renewed as a free learning hub for people and small businesses finding their way online.
Grandpa still has work to do.
This page preserves the original spirit of helping beginners while connecting that history to Surflocal's modern tools for learning, marketing, managing, and growing online.
1998free internet help and community resources
Freeno sign-up, no hidden fees, just trusted help
Learnemail, browsers, safety, search, and websites
Growthe foundation that helped shape Surflocal
The Net Shack Story
Completely free since 1998: Surflocal.net provides online security tools, safe browsing guides, and community resources to everyone at no cost.
Why is it free? This is a complementary service and our way to give back to the web and business community. No sign-up, no hidden fees, just trusted help.
Founded during the early days of the public internet, The Net Shack was created to help everyday people learn how to use computers, email, web browsers, search engines, and websites. Today it remains part of the Surflocal family and continues serving internet users, small businesses, and beginning webmasters.
The evolution
From learning the internet to growing a business online
The Net Shack is the root of the mission: help people understand the web, use it safely, and turn practical internet knowledge into real opportunity.
2004
Surflocal
Helping local businesses get found, publish offers, and communicate online.
Today
Business Center
Helping businesses manage leads, tools, clients, workflows, and growth.
Now
MarketOS
Helping businesses turn information into marketing pages and publishing workflows.
Next
GrowthOS
Helping businesses discover opportunities, plan smarter, and expand carefully.
Online safety
Free security tools and safe browsing resources
These resources help explain common online threats and point users toward trusted places to learn more or remove unwanted software.
Adware
Any software application that displays advertising banners while the program is running is called Adware.
Kaspersky Guide
Spyware
Software that transmits information back to a third party without notifying the user. This can include legitimate monitoring software if used without consent.
Malwarebytes Guide
Browser Hijacker
Programs that change your browser’s homepage or search settings without permission—often to push ads, viruses, or spyware, and sometimes collecting personal info.
Removal Guide
Safe Search Guide
Helpful links for turning on safe search features in major search engines.
E-Mail Filters
Programs to help separate spam from the mail you really want to read.
Virus Protection
Free anti-virus programs for virus removal, updated regularly.
AdWare / SpyWare / Hijacker
Protect your computer from pop-up ads and unwanted downloads.
Google Earth
View satellite imagery, maps, terrain, and 3D buildings from your desktop. Search for schools, parks, and more—get directions and save your favorite places.
Explore Google EarthGoogle Local Search
Find local businesses on Google Maps and use helpful search tools to find what you need online.
How it fits
Learn. Market. Manage. Grow.
The Net Shack is the learning foundation. Surflocal carries that same practical approach into modern business marketing, lead generation, and business management tools.
Built from the same mission
Help people understand the internet, use practical tools, and turn online knowledge into real progress.
Web Building Information
From Surflocal.Net's Webmaster,
David Prescott
David Prescott
HTML Basic Code Sheet
Resize Photos
Cascading Style Sheets