Technology is amazing and has completely transformed our lives. Technological advancements paved the way for unimaginable hardware, including watches with integrated electronics, more efficient airplanes, and the Internet as we know it today. However, not everything is rosy and there are still some mistakes that people make from a few decades ago. I am going to go through some of them to see how many of them you make.
1 Use weak passwords
Use a password manager!
Password123 – Yes, people still use it to secure an online account. We all know how hard it is to remember different passwords, but this is where a password manager comes in. All you need to do is use an easy-to-remember master password and then let the service generate hard-coded passwords for each account added. We’ve talked extensively about password managers on XDA and we still use them in our daily lives. If you’re not using one yet, now is a great time to start.
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Here are some good options to consider if you’re looking to try out a password manager, but don’t want to pay a premium right away.
2 There is no backup plan
Use the 3-2-1 rule
Do you back up all of your data? If not, you’re not alone. There are plenty of options available for backing up sensitive data, but still, many people choose not to use a backup strategy. Network-attached storage (NAS) is a great way to back up all of the devices in your life and more, but all you really need is a drive capable of storing everything you want to save. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three backups, using two types of storage and one stored off-site.
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3 Running outdated software
Search for updates
Windows Update can interfere with running tasks on your PC, but it’s an invaluable tool for ensuring you’re running the latest software updates from Microsoft and its partners. The same goes for other hardware, like your phone. Keep everything up to date automatically and you’ll enjoy the latest and greatest versions. If you rely on older versions of software, you could be at risk of something breaking or a security vulnerability being exploited.
4 Useless hardware upgrades
Do you really need a new phone?
Humans love shiny new things. Once the appeal of a new gadget wears off, you’ll naturally want a new replacement. The speed at which technology has been iterated and released over the past few decades hasn’t helped. Smartphones are one of the main culprits, with new models being released every year. Do you really need the new model? I’m still using an iPhone 12, which still holds a charge and works fine with the latest version of iOS. Keep using technology until it no longer works as designed.
5 Relying too much on public WiFi networks
Anyone could see what you’re doing.
Public wireless networks are fine for connecting to the Internet and browsing the Internet, watching some videos, and maybe doing some tasks that don’t involve sensitive accounts or data. However, for many of the things you would normally do at home or the office, public networks are not a good place to be. The main issue here is security. It’s a public network for a reason, as it allows anyone with access to connect and get online. The problem is, if someone accesses the Wi-Fi network with bad intentions, they could spy on your connection.
If you can, use a VPN whenever possible. Always make sure the website you are visiting uses SSL and has a valid certificate, and be smart about the apps and services you use.
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Don’t let criminals know when you’re away
No one needs to know what you’re up to, especially when you’re on vacation. When you’re away from home, try not to post anything about it on social media until you get back. If this information is made public too soon, a malicious third party could visit your home. Home surveillance systems are much more accessible these days, and Ring is a popular Amazon brand. It’s cloud-based, affordable, and lets you monitor your home when you’re away.
7 The device’s batteries are not charging properly
Remember: 30 – 70%
Did you know that the lithium-ion battery in your smartphone, smartwatch, laptop, and even your electric vehicle has a certain number of cycles before it starts to degrade considerably? A good rule of thumb to follow is to keep any device at between 30-70% battery. This is why you may notice that this type of hardware reduces its charging speed towards the higher end of its capacity. It is also not a good idea to leave a device completely drained, and I suggest you unplug the power supply when the battery is full.
8 Turn your keyboard into a plate
Clean it every two weeks.
We’re probably all guilty of eating on a keyboard and dropping a few crumbs, but have you cleaned the device? Even if you don’t eat in front of the computer, dust and other particles can get from the keys to the motherboard. Cleaning a keyboard is easy, but it takes some time to carefully remove all the keys. It’s worth doing it every couple of weeks, especially if you want to keep it in tip-top condition.
