You’re likely aware that liquids and laptops don’t mix well. But do you still tempt fate by placing your coffee dangerously close to your laptop? If not, kudos to you for being cautious. If so, you’re certainly not alone in living life on the edge. Plenty of people keep drinks next to their computers, leave cords in a tangled mess, and don’t bother installing antivirus software.
These oversights are understandable, but that won’t save you from the awful “why did I do that?” feeling when something goes wrong. In our tech-driven world, it’s impossible to escape IT problems entirely. But you can save yourself a whole lot of stress by avoiding the following operator errors.
Setting up work accounts with personal credentials
Whether it’s the email address you use to log in or the phone number you use for 2-factor authentication (2FA), using your personal credentials for work accounts can create a major IT problem. If you lose your phone or your email account is hacked, company data may be at risk. You can also cause issues if you move on from your current workplace as important data may be siloed in your old, inaccessible account.
This IT issue is most common in remote workforces, hybrid models, and businesses working with freelancers. Regardless of the nature of your business, it’s best practice to ensure all team members use login credentials that can be internally managed should the need arise. That way, if a freelancer finishes their contract or an employee is hacked, you can restrict access and rescue your data before any damage is done.
If you’re interested in learning more about cybersecurity for remote and hybrid workforces, check out our guide to cybersecurity for remote and hybrid workers.
Not treating your technology with respect
So many hardware issues could be avoided if we all collectively treated our technology with more respect. Whether you’re allowing dust to accumulate or failing to give your computer enough breathing space, these small actions and oversights add up over time. Eventually, your tech will chuck its version of a tantrum.
Thankfully, it’s not hard to develop a respectful relationship with your devices. Here are some simple tips to get you started:
- Keep your tech clean – dust accumulation can dramatically reduce the lifespan of your devices, so dust them regularly and use covers where possible.
- Give your computer space to breathe – If you have a fan-cooled device, any object or material that blocks the fan will hinder its ability to cool down. So, avoid placing your computer directly on your bed, and ensure it’s not resting amid too much clutter.
- Keep your tech away from heat and direct sunlight – Avoid placing your devices near radiators or in areas where they get consistent direct sunlight. On top of the potential for heat damage, UV light can damage your screen, so do your best to avoid prolonged sun exposure.
- Keep food and drinks away from your tech – Lunches and coffees enjoyed at your desk may be convenient, but they’re an accident waiting to happen for your tech. If you must consume meals or drinks while working, you can reduce the risk of damaging your tech by using a computer stand to keep your device safely away from potential spills.
- Carry your tech in protective cases – Using cases perfectly fitted to your devices will keep them safe from scratches and scuffs. Crucially, cases can also protect them from falls and bumps that could otherwise harm their hardware.
- Never throw your tech around – For some of you, this will go without saying. However, many people get so comfortable with technology that they throw their devices on couches or beds without much thought. This is the kind of habit that will be okay until it’s suddenly not. The last thing you want is to have to replace an expensive device through sheer carelessness. So get in the habit of setting your devices down carefully in safe places.
- Turn to an IT expert for help – Even if you take excellent care of your tech, you will likely still face small issues like dust accumulation within your computer. This can raise the temperature of your computer by restricting the fan. So, the moment you start noticing issues like this, turn to an IT professional for a fix.
Letting clutter accumulate on your hard drive
If you don’t have enough space on your hard drive, your computer will become slow, laggy, and frustrating to work with. If you find yourself constantly waiting for pages or applications to load, it may be time to clean up the clutter.
Set aside some time to go through your files and delete anything you don’t need. The two biggest disk space hogs are videos and photos. Since they take up a lot of memory, deleting them can deliver a quick win.
Not learning the right way to charge your tech
If you regularly allow your wireless technology to run down to its last dying breaths, then you’re at risk of doing lasting damage to the battery. The same is true for leaving your laptop constantly plugged in.
Whenever you get a new device, take the time to read the manufacturer’s recommendations for recharging the battery. The guidelines are generally simple, but following them can help you extend the life of your device and avoid costly repairs.
For most laptops and smartphones, the best practice is usually to let them run down to around 20-40% and then charge them until they reach around 80-90% capacity. Of course, you don’t have to be obsessive about this – it’s more about avoiding extremes (aka 0% and 100%).
If your device has a fast-charge option, try not to use it too often. And finally, avoid leaving your devices plugged in overnight. Once they’ve reached that 80-90% sweet spot, unplug them to save yourself from IT problems in the future.
Falling into lazy cybersecurity habits
This applies as much to business owners as it does to employees. If nothing has gone wrong for a while, it’s easy to fall into lazy cybersecurity habits. Whether that’s letting your antivirus subscription lapse or downloading apps from unverified vendors, laziness can spell disaster when it comes to cybersecurity.
To help you ensure your cyber practices are up to scratch, we’ve developed a handy guide to cyber hygiene for Aussie business owners. In your daily life, you can improve your cyber hygiene by learning how to spot phishing emails and text messages, using antivirus software, using a reputable password manager, and sticking to apps available in the official Apple and Google Play stores.
Failing to train employees or pay attention during training
If you’re a business owner trying to avoid common IT problems and cybersecurity nightmares, it’s crucial to give your team training on these matters. This training should include annual refreshers to ensure your team is up to date on the latest cybersecurity threats and well-equipped to treat their technology with care.
If you’re an employee, it’s a massive mistake to check out during IT or cybersecurity training. Even if you feel like you’ve heard it all before, pay attention as this is a great way to remind yourself of the best IT practices. You’ll likely also pick up a few tidbits of new and valuable information that could save you from costly IT dramas.
As a Melbourne-based Managed Service Provider, Invotec supports government agencies and Aussie businesses of all sizes. If you’d like to improve your cyber hygiene or learn more about the ideal IT training programs, Invotec can help. We offer bespoke packages tailored to suit each client’s needs. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation with one of our expert IT consultants. Together, we can ensure you’re getting the most out of your tech while avoiding costly IT problems.
