One of the last things you want to worry about now that you’re back at school is an accident with your new tech gear.
Stats say five out of six students say that they’ve lost or broken their phone, and three in five tablet owners suffer from mishaps like keyboard spills, dropping their tablet or damaging the screen.
Whether it’s dropping your device, someone accessing your information on a Wi-Fi network, or catching a computer virus, there are ways to avoid these Back to School blues. A few simple tips and tricks to help you start your school year off right.
1. Protect – Protective cases for your technology can help you save on future repair and/or replacement costs. Consider your day-to-day use with your devices to determine just how much protection you need, whether it’s a basic, heavy-duty, or a waterproof case. to see how you can buy peace of mind.
2. Safe Social Networking – The football game you went to, the all-nighter you pulled, or even your friend’s birthday party – chances are you shared it socially. But you need to be careful about what and how you share information. Never post personal information, such as your birthday, location or phone number — anything you post on the Internet will be there forever for anyone to read, store and republish. Use privacy controls to limit access to your personal information to only the group you’re comfortable with, like friends and family.
3. Secure – Internet on the go can be a blessing or a curse. Using your device on an open public network can make you vulnerable to a variety of cyber dangers, including identity theft and hackers. To avoid these dangers, try using your data plan for security. It’s also important to protect your device from physical thieves; setting a passcode on your device or using a lock for your laptop can help protect from these physical threats.
4. Update – Keep your operating system up to date by setting your operating system to check, download and install updates automatically. Watch for warning signs; if your computer or device starts behaving strangely or running particularly slowly, it may be a sign that it has been infected. Update your anti-virus software and start a new, full-system scan.
5. Beware – Don’t open an email, link or an attachment from a stranger. Hackers are moving beyond isolated attacks and are now creating viruses that can recruit computers into an army of “botnets” that they can control. These bots can spread spam, attack database software or log keystrokes. Anti-spyware programs and anti-virus programs from companies like Kaspersky, VIPRE, Norton, McAfee or BitDefender can be your best defense system. And there’s always Geek Squad Protection, too. Click here to see what options you have.