Happy New Year everyone! With the new year, I'm sure you want to make positive changes in your life. With resolutions, we always tend to focus on improving our relationships, finances, and health. With technology playing a big role in our lives, you need to consider changes to your digital life as well. The good news is that you don't have to be a technology expert to resolve to get better with the tech in your life. Not sure where to start? Well, I've put together a list of tech resolutions that will help you get more from the technology you use at home and work.
1. Get Serious About Cyber Security. Cybercrime was huge in 2019 and it's only going to get worse in 2020. First, understand that all of your devices have the protection you need against threats on the internet. As long as you keep your devices up to date, you are protected. Most of the scams and viruses require user interaction in order to cause problems, so be cautious of web sites you visit and emails that show up in your inbox. If your information was leaked in a data breach, make sure you take action immediately, by changing your passwords for your online accounts. If you don't, your accounts can become susceptible to 'credential stuffing' which is where criminals use your information leaked in data breaches to take over your online accounts.
2. Be Kind To Your Data. If you love your data, you will want to make sure you are backing up your precious data automatically ... to the cloud. External hard drives are great, but if you're like most people you don't hook them up to your devices all of the time to perform a backup. Cloud backup offers the ability to have your device information saved as a backup as soon as you create it on your device.
3. Keep Your Devices and Accounts Secure. You want to make sure your computers and smart devices are password protected and your accounts have different passwords. If you haven't enabled 2-factor authentication for your online accounts, you need to do it immediately. This way, if your accounts are compromised, criminals can't get access to your information.
4. Show Your Devices Some Love. Upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 this month. If you have a Mac, you need to update to High Sierra, Mojave or Catalina. Make sure your smartphone, tablets and your smart home devices have the latest security updates installed to keep you safe from all of the bad things and people on the Internet.
5. Unclutter your Devices and get Rid of Old Tech. Yes, you spent money on those devices, but when they are obsolete it's time to get rid of them. Take them to your favorite recycling center or give them away to someone who can still use them. Some places like Amazon offer trade-ins on old technology. While you're trashing your old tech, delete those old programs and files to keep your devices clutter-free.
6. Set Boundaries with Yourself and Your Family. Don't let your digital life take over your real life. Modern technology is designed to keep you and your family plugged in so you become addicted to your devices. Most adults have the brainpower to switch off technology, but if you have younger members in your household, it can be hard for their brains to disconnect. Choose times and areas in your house where technology use isn't allowed. Life is short, make sure you're making the most out of it.
If you follow these tech resolutions for the new year, you should have a worry-free and enjoyable digital lifestyle for you and your family.
Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. If you prefer to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on our YouTube channel. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I want to make technology fun and exciting for you.
If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. My team of friendly tech experts are always standing by to answer your questions and help make your technology useful and fun. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.
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