New Year's Resolutions for Tech - Part 2

 Hopefully, you have gotten started with last week's suggestions:  

*cleaning up your email Inbox
*reviewing and changing your passwords as needed
*sharing your passwords with someone else in your family
*reviewing your Facebook Privacy and Security settings

Today, let's add one more item to that beginning-of-a-new-year-to-do list.

Remove apps from your mobile devices and  applications from your computers that you no longer use.
Leaving unused apps, applications, and accounts on our devices can make us vulnerable to possible security breaches.  Take time to review the apps on your phone, tablet, etc. and delete them if you no longer use them. 
(iPhone Users - Go to Settings - App Store - Offload Unused Apps and make sure this setting is turned on.  This will automatically help keep unused apps off your phone.  Apps can also be viewed and deleted on an iPhone by going to Settings - General - iPhone Storage. You will see a total list of your apps.  Touch an app in the list and you will be given the choice of removing the app.) 
For other mobile devices or computers, if you are unsure how to remove apps simply do an internet search for "how to remove apps/applications from....(name of device)" to view instructions.

Another beautiful sunshiny day here for getting outside; a real treat for January!  Enjoy.

Should I leave my computer on or turn it off?

Years ago, many of us learned to shut our computer down when we were not using it.  But, is that still the best practice today?

Yes and no.

I've just finished reading a lengthy article on this topic because every once in awhile this question comes up in a class discussion.

A line graph showing failure rates for computers resembles the shape of a bathtub:  equipment failures are high when a computer is new and again at the end of its' life.  During its' "teenage" and  "adult years" computer failure is very low.

So, the recommendations for computers todayare:

1) Since failure rates can be high on new computers, during the warranty period of a new computer you can/should turn it off when not in use. This speeds the "aging process" and allows any equipment failures to occur while under warranty.

2)  During the "teenage and adult years" of a computer, it is safe to leave a computer onand this will reduce wear and tear on components.

3)  At the end of a computer's life, most equipment failures occur during the on/off cycle, so it is recommended to leave it on.

Two caveats: 
1) If you have updates set to install upon shutdown and now decide that you are going to leave your computer on, you will want to change that setting to "automatically update".  It is imperative that you install updates as they become available.

2) Remember to always protect your computer by plugging it into a surge protector (this may need to be a topic for another week).  :-)

What about tablets and phones? I leave all my devices (computer, iPad and iPhone) on 24/7, but I do occasionally shutdown/restart them because I feel like it improves their operating speed.

3 Ways to Stay Safe

Happy 4th of July! Hope you all have a fun, SAFE holiday!

And, for electronic device safety remember:

1) Install updates....particularly the Security Updates.
Last week another cyberattack occurred throughout the world.  Computer experts once again reminded people to always install updates to help keep electronic devices safe....at least as safe as they can be at any given moment in time.

2) Don’t click
While surfing the web don’t click on pop-up ads or unfamiliar links.

3) Don’t Reply
Never respond to an email or click on a link in it if it is from an unfamiliar source.  Just Delete!