Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog

HomeBlog
Don’t Let Tech Troubles Bring You Summertime Blues

Don’t Let Tech Troubles Bring You Summertime Blues

June 14, 2024

With the summer months comes the promise of fun… why would you want to stress about your technology during that time? To help prevent this, we’ve put together some tricks to protect your devices… both from cybersecurity issues and from the weather.

How to Protect Your Devices Throughout Your Travels

Your summer plans are too important to leave in the hands of cybercriminals. Here are a few ways you can keep your devices safer:

Update Before You Leave

Installing any software updates minimizes the vulnerabilities that a hacker could take advantage of while also avoiding the possibility of relying on notoriously insecure hotel Wi-Fi or eating up your mobile data.

Speaking of Which, Avoid Public Wi-Fi

It’s a good policy to assume that any public network is a compromised network. If you have the option, avoid it. If you have no choice, only use secure websites (https in the URL), utilize a virtual private network, and never share or transmit anything personal or sensitive.

Backup

Of course, we always recommend backing up data, and this is no exception. Your mobile data all needs to be backed up and synced across another device so you don’t lose your data if the device is lost, stolen, or otherwise damaged.

Use Finding Features

Today’s devices typically come with a tracking feature built in, allowing you to locate any on and Internet-connected device should it be lost or stolen.

How to Keep Your Devices at a Safe Temperature

Hot technology isn’t good, so here are a few tips to help keep your devices cool:

Ventilation is Your Friend

Your devices need to breathe, so ensure they have a few inches of space around them and nothing is blocking their vents. This will allow the heat mitigation systems within the devices to do their job and keep them cooler.

Heat is Not Your Friend

On a related note, you should try to keep your devices out of direct sunlight and, ideally, in the path of a fan or even an A/C. It also helps to keep your devices on lower levels of your home as heat rises.

Keep Your Devices Clean

Debris in your fans, such as dust, dirt, hair, and other detritus, can negatively impact their performance and slow or even stop their functioning. Cleaning them with compressed air will help keep them functioning appropriately. 

Kill the Power

If your device overheats and malfunctions, turn it off and disconnect the power supply. Do not turn it back on until it has cooled down. Refer to the earlier tips to help prevent it from overheating again.

Make sure you keep checking in here for insights and tips!

Previous Post
April 24, 2023
Automation Is a Vital Part of Running a Modern Business
Automation continues to play a major role in business operations, but some companies have more trouble than others with implementation. Most businesses just don’t think out their strategy before implementing it, so we wanted to bring to your attention what businesses tend to automate, as well as the tools used to do so.
April 21, 2023
Should You Consider Upgrading Your Workstations to a New OS?
The operating system is the most important piece of software in computing. It is the bridge between the user and the resources needed to get work done. Many businesses make technology purchases and pay for support, so they don’t always know when is the right time to upgrade the OS on your organization’s computers. Let’s take a look at some of the variables you should consider to better understand when it is time to change the operating system on your employee workstations. 
April 19, 2023
Tip of the Week: Customize the Size of Your Desktop Icons
Your desktop can often become cluttered with files and programs while you’re going about your workday, and those files and programs will all have desktop icons associated with them. It’s a good practice to clean it up from time to time, but you can get immediate relief from the clutter by adjusting the size of the icons.

Have a project in mind?

Start with our free consultation. We will provide a detailed proposal and firm quote based on your specific IT support needs. All at a predictable monthly cost per seat.
Free Consultation - Sign Up Here