7 New Year Tech Resolutions for a Better 2018
Happy New Year! The beginning of a new year is ripe for resolutions: We make goal lists for our bodies, our lives, our hopes, our dreams… why not your tech? As we get ready for a new year I’ve been thinking about some tech resolutions that you can use to help you have a year free from technology problems. Whether you want to become more secure online, maintain a better life balance with your tech or just make a good new habit, I’ve put together a few small ideas that can make a big difference; and some tips to make them stick for real. Check out my tech resolutions and be your best tech self in 2018.
1. Make sure you’re Cyber Secure. There are a number of things you can do to avoid opening yourself up to cyber criminals:
Change your online passwords.
Use password managers to sync your passwords across multiple devices – stop reusing passwords!
Use secure Wi-Fi networks and , never, ever conduct banking or make online purchases over a public Wi-Fi network.
Educate yourself about the latest phone and computer scams that are going around
2. Get rid of your unused gadgets. If you have gadgets lying around your office or house, then now is the time to start clearing them out. Whether it is a stereo system you received a replacement for over Christmas, or an old handset, then get it on eBay, take it to a charity shop or see if a recycling site that will take it. 3. Update all your computers and smart devices and get the last Operating System Software. Updates, whether Android, iOS, Blackberry or Windows don't just appear for the fun of it .An update will normally bring a fix for a bug, or make your device run faster, sometimes it will even introduce new features so they are worth doing, and staying on top of - don't ignore them. 4. Back up your devices to a cloud backup service. Backing up your computer or smart-device is something you don't always think to do until you lose everything. There no excuse not to back up your information to the Cloud. Services like Carbonite, Google Drive and Google Photos are perfect for saving your documents, photos and videos.
5. Disconnect before bed. The blue light from your laptop, phone or tablet can mess with your sleep patterns making sleep shorter and less restful. Experts recommend powering down half an hour before bed. 6 .Manage your phone contacts. A year is a long time, and people change jobs and numbers so it's worth going through, checking for duplicates, and making sure you have everyone you need saved. Save your contacts to the cloud in case you lose your phone. 7. Check your Online Identity. In today’s digital age, it’s easy to think interactions with websites like Facebook, Google and other web communities are private, but in fact, it’s easy for anyone (particularly cyber criminals) to gather information about you just by doing a few quick internet searches. Google yourself to find out what information is out there about you. Also, go to www.haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email address has been part of the many data breaches of recent months. If it has, change your online account passwords immediately.
What resolutions do you have for the New Year? Leave us a comment and let us know.
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I'm Burton Kelso and I'm a Kansas City based Tech Expert and the Chief Technology Expert at Integral, providing on-site and remote support for computers, tablets, smartphones, routers, printers, and any device that connects to the internet. I regularly appear as a guest tech correspondent on ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS on shows such as Kansas City Live, Better Kansas City, FOX 4 Morning Show, offering viewers easy tips on technology, Internet lifestyle, Internet security and gadgets. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn , and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I can be reached at 888-256-0829 or email at burton@integralcomputerconsultants.com