With a few simple steps, you can take care of your computer equipment and ensure it stays healthy and provides peak performance.
At the office, it’s easy, just call someone from I/T and the problem gets resolved. At home knowing what measures to take to prolong the life of your equipment can be vital.
Use an Uninterruptible Power Supply
An uninterruptible power supply or UPS for short is an electrical device that combines surge protection with a battery backup. A good UPS power supply will not only keep your equipment running when the power goes out but can also smooth out peaks and dips in the electrical current.
Electrical surges, while rare, can still damage your computer’s electronics. Dirty power can cause damage to your computer’s electrical circuits shortening their life.
If you think you don’t need one, imagine working for hours only to have the power go out and you lose all your work. A UPS is one of those things you don’t need until you do. If you don’t have one, it’s too late.
Perform Regular Updates
Keep your software up-to-date. Most software and hardware vendors provide over-the-air electronic updates.
These can be added enhancements, support for new devices, or security fixes. To get the most out of your computer system you should regularly check for and run critical update routines as they become available.
Use A VPN
A VPN is a virtual private network. It allows you to make a secure connection to the internet. It protects your IP address by encrypting your connection to its server before you connect to a website or other online service. It helps disguise your identity and activity on the internet.
A VPN is particularly important if you are travelling and accessing the internet through public wi-fi networks. By encrypting your connection, a VPN can keep you safe from prying hackers and anyone else trying to spy on you.
Unplug and Use the Battery
If you work primarily from a laptop, unplug it and run off the battery. Keeping a laptop permanently plugged in and charging can damage the battery. It is one of the reasons that desktop computers have not become obsolete.
Power Down at Night
Turn your computer off at night. This stops all applications from running in the background and clears the cache. It can stop buggy software from creating bigger issues in the future.
It gives your equipment a chance to cool off, which in turn helps prolong the life of your electronics.
If you work from home, powering down your computer helps create a separation between home life and work life.
Use Anti Virus Software
Having a personal cyber security plan using antivirus and other security practices can protect your computer and your data.
Don’t open email you don’t recognize. Never click on an email link if you have any questions whatsoever as to its authenticity.
If you get into a routine, these practices become a regular part of your day, and won’t take a lot of time. They will definitely help prolong the life of your computer and other electronic equipment.
