In the endless list of New Year resolution, there is also room to improve your computer habits? If not, you’d better put some effort in this field: below you’ll find the timeless tips, which applied consistently will help you get the most of your computer and your devices. There are much more advice if you truly want to try to make things right, but let’s start with the basics, shall we? It’s only January 3.
Update, update, update
Let’s start with the easy one: if there is an update for your operating system, especially if it is a security update: run the update. Yes, it is possible that the update might have an impact on the performance of software that is vital to your work, so we understand your reluctance. The cases in which this is true, however, are extremely limited, for the most part, it is laziness to wait for the installation, and the fear of finding something new that could disrupt your use of computers or phone. But updates are designed to improve the functionality and performance of your devices: if you don’t apply them means automatically that you’re using an “old” device. In addition to jeopardizing your digital life.
Privacy, privacy, privacy
If you complain that your social accounts (or apps you use) publish too many details of your life, from your comings and goings to your online shopping, it’s better to go and check their settings. Often what angers us is designed to facilitate the use of the service, or in any case in good faith; just as often there are options that, if deactivated (or activated), will solve our problems. Sometimes it is good to go back to check, though: an upgrade could return everything back to the default values.
Backup, backup, backup
We cannot stress it enough. There is not a single backup strategy that is enough: nowadays, the cost of an online backup service is quite small, and it would be foolish not to take advantage of a similar solution. But while you’re there, make a disk backup, to keep in your office, at home, in the safe: even the fastest connection can wave if you try to retrieve an enormous amount of data.
Security, security, security
Don’t visit suspicious sites, don’t download anything from them, don’t open attachments from contacts that you don’t know, also beware of attachments from your friends. The advice on internet security remains the same as twenty years ago. Also lately hackers are adapting: much digital frauds have found a passage through banner ads, to the detriment of the good faith of the sites hosting them; cases of social engineering to recover passwords of various sensitive services are on the rise. Be careful, use an antivirus, keep it up to date, and never use the same password for different sites or services, or app, ever.