Easy Steps to a Happier Year with Technology

Get a good start on 2010 by embracing a few simple steps that can do wonders for your safety and productivity:

1. Run your backups. Everybody says they’ll back up their machines, but how many of us actually do it?
2. Update your virus definitions. This is another task that people promise to do periodically, rarely actually get to, and are generally safe anyway because the service runs automatically. However, if you have your antivirus software set to update and scan during the day, it can slow your machine down to the point where you’re constantly suspending or cancelling the update just so that you can get some work done. That leaves you vulnerable to new virus attacks. So to be on the safe side, make sure your antivirus software updates regularly at night or during hours when you’re usually not working.
3. Change your passwords. Even the most foolproof, uncrackable passwords should be rotated out once in a while. Just make sure you remember the new ones!
4. Physically clean your keyboard, mouse...and smartphone....often.

Happy New Year