Tech Tips

By Emily Monday Technology

03 May: 5 Tips For A Safe, Secure Password

Internet safety is a concern for everyone, and the first line of defense is a secure password.

Updating all your various passwords can be tedious, but it’s so important for keeping your devices and online information safe. Once a cybercriminal has your password, they might be able to access your bank account or other personal information.

“Changing your password is important because it prevents unauthorized people from having access to your data,” Geek Squad Agent Ericka Jones said. “Online scams and data breaches are happening every day, so updating your password frequently will help keep you and your information safe.”

By Emily Monday Technology

30 Mar: For World Backup Day, 5 Tips to Protect Your Data

Whether it’s important documents, a college paper or your cherished family photos, it’s a sickening feeling when your data disappears, and you can’t figure out how to recover it.

That’s why it’s so important to back up your data in case your computer gets lost or stolen or the hard drive crashes. From cloud storage services to external hard drives, there are lots of options for how to make sure all your files are secure.

“It’s a lot easier to take the steps to prevent losing your data than it is to recover it after something happens,” said Frankie Kandaya, a Geek Squad Agent in Charlotte, North Carolina.

By Emily Monday Technology

15 Mar: Tips for Spring Cleaning and Organizing Your Tech

Spring has sprung, and the dust has settled (literally). Now’s the perfect time to grab your mop and vacuum for spring cleaning, but have you considered cleaning your tech, too?

As many of us are spending more time at home, we’re also using our tech devices more than ever, so it’s especially important to keep those devices clean, both internally and externally.

Here are some tips from our Best Buy experts on how to add tech to your spring cleaning to-do list.

By Ale Valeriano Technology

29 Jan: How to Host the Ultimate (Virtual) Big Game Party

The Big Game is one of the most anticipated events of the year, but this time around we won’t see a packed stadium or the usual parties and events with cheering fans.

However, there are still ways for football fans across the county to come together around the chips, dips and TV. Hosting a virtual Big Game party via video calls or smart displays makes it possible to be in the same room even if you are football fields — or states — apart.

Whether you’re hanging on every play or just tuning in for the commercials and halftime show, here are a few tips to enjoy a fun online gathering for the Big Game.

By Matthew Smith Technology

26 Dec: How to get help with your new tech

There’s nothing like unwrapping new tech over the holidays. And then comes the added fun of testing it all out and getting everything working the way you want.

If you need a hand with that, Best Buy is here to help. We’ve got you covered with a variety of safe and easy ways to get help with installation, setup and troubleshooting for that new holiday tech.

Here are a few examples of the tech support options we provide.

Tech Tips videos

Available on Best Buy’s YouTube channel, Tech Tips videos are a quick way to get help with a variety of popular tech products, including smart displays, Wi-Fi systems and streaming devices.

By John Vomhof Jr. Lifestyle

21 Oct: Geek Squad Agent’s Family Goes All Out for Halloween

Derek Meister’s family is to Halloween what the Griswolds are to Christmas.

For the past 25 years, they’ve decked out their suburban Cleveland home with hundreds of decorations every October. They have about 30 giant yard inflatables, a graveyard full of Styrofoam tombstones and even a high-tech light show.

“People start coming by while we’re setting it up,” said Derek, a longtime Geek Squad Agent. “Some places don’t even do trick-or-treating anymore, but we still get about 200 kids every year on Halloween.”

By John Vomhof Jr. Technology

09 Jun: 3 Steps To Manage Online Safety For Kids

With schools across the country closed because of COVID-19, children of all ages spent the spring learning at home. That resulted in more time online — a trend that is likely to continue as summer begins without many of the usual camps and activities.

From computers and tablets to phones and video games, kids and parents alike are leaning on technology to entertain themselves and alleviate social isolation. Technology has become an essential part of everyday life, and there are ways for parents to make sure it stays safe, fun and productive.

KB-KidsBuildingRobots_Shutterstock_1026000331

By John Vomhof Jr. Technology

09 Jun: Discover Fun STEM Activities For Kids Of All Ages

Many parents worry about their kids experiencing “brain drain” during the summer months, and that’s sure to be an even bigger concern this year as students transition from a spring of distance learning to a summer without many of the usual camps and other activities.

Just because schools aren’t in session doesn’t mean kids have to take a three-month break from learning. There are lots of activities that can provide summer fun while also unlocking their imaginations.

To learn more, we talked to Hafsa Aden, the coordinator at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center in Portland, Oregon.

By John Vomhof Jr. Technology

27 Mar: Tips For Staying Productive While Working From Home

With many workplaces closed to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID19), millions of Americans suddenly find themselves navigating the challenges of working from home.

It can be hard to stay productive outside of your normal work setting, so it’s important to make sure you have the right equipment — and game plan — to make it work.

To learn more, we chatted with Derek Meister, a Geek Squad Agent who provides online support for our customers and has nine years of remote-working experience.

By Aaron Cornelius Technology

20 Nov: How to stop porch pirates this holiday season [VIDEO]

It’s really easy to shop for gifts online, especially during the holidays. But you might not be the only one waiting for your package to arrive on your porch.

One study from InsuranceQuotes found that more than 25 million Americans have had a holiday package stolen from their front porch.

So, what can do you to protect yourself from porch pirates? Best Buy In-Home Advisor Angelica Fonseca has some easy tips in this video to help keep the Grinch away from your front door.

By Matthew Smith Technology

09 Feb: How to clean your computer inside and out

Nearly 75 percent of U.S. adults own a computer. Whether you use your device for work or play, it’s always a good time to clean it up — inside and out — to help it run faster and safer.

There are many things you can do to tidy up your devices. To make it easy, we spoke with Geek Squad Agent Derek Meister to learn his top tips.

Here’s what he says you should know.

Start with your desktop

Saving files to your desktop is convenient, but it can get out of hand if you don’t eventually store your files elsewhere.

By Claire Larson Technology

19 Sep: Avoid those cracked screens, dropped laptops and other campus tech fails

The school year is in full swing, and all those new back-to-school gadgets are (hopefully) being put to good use. Now, the goal is to keep them that way.

College-bound students spent the biggest chunk of their back-to-school budgets on consumer electronics this year,* and unfortunately (but not totally surprising), 18-to-24 year-olds are more likely than the general population to have accidents with their tech. College students are especially at risk for tech mishaps**.

Aaron Perkins is a senior at West Virginia University, and he’s also a Geek Squad Agent at our store in Morgantown, West Virginia.

1 2 … 4