Tips of the Month: Five of the Best Computing Tips

Business is an increasingly digital experience. Let’s face it, we spend a lot of time on our computers, so why not use them like a pro? Here are seven simple tips to make your computer life smoother, faster, and less frustrating.

Organize Your Files

Don’t let your computer turn into a cluttered mess. It may be difficult to create an organized and efficient file system, especially if you have years of files stored in a haphazard manner. It isn’t impossible, however. One of the best ways to keep things organized in a digital environment is to create folders for your documents, photos, and downloads in a way where it is easy to find the files you need when you need them. Think of it like putting your stuff in drawers instead of piling it on the desk. One of the best ways to do this if you need to sort through data is to move to a cloud storage environment. You can easily upload most files to the cloud with a drag-and-drop feature from your computer and you can finally have access to all that data from any device with an Internet connection.

Learn Keyboard Shortcuts

Most people know some keyboard shortcuts. Some have been used for decades, while others are kind of new to the newer versions of Windows. There are dozens that you can learn, but there are some that you should know to help you be as efficient as possible while using your PC:

• Copy - Ctrl + C
• Paste - Ctrl + V
• Select All - Ctrl + A
• Undo Action - Ctrl + Z
• Redo Action - Ctrl + Y
• Open new - Ctrl + N
• Cut - Ctrl + X
• Move between apps/windows - Alt + Tab

Keep Your Computer Updated

You know those update notifications you keep ignoring? Updates fix bugs and keep your computer safe. It’s really easy to set your computer to update automatically when you aren’t usually at it, so you don’t even have to think about it. In fact, every device you use, including your smartphone, should be regularly updated with the latest version of the software to make sure you have the latest protection against threats and patches for any vulnerabilities or inconsistencies in the software. 

Back Up Your Data 

You should definitely back up your data if you haven’t done so already. Businesses should have a strategy that will allow access to data if something were to happen to your server. Many times large storms can knock out power and if you lose access to your data for even a couple of hours, it can undermine your efforts. Individuals have a lot of different options that will allow them to protect their personal data. Something as simple as losing your phone can throw a big wrench in your plans should you not have a copy of your essential data at the ready.

If your business isn’t backing up its data, you are essentially working on borrowed time. For the individual, you should always be aware where your data is being stored and whether or not it is redundant.

Use Strong Passwords

Having complex and unique passwords is essential. “12345” or “password” isn’t going to cut it. Not only should you consider using a reputable password management tool, you should also turn on two-factor authentication. Password managers can assign and protect every password with unhackable encryption, while two-factor authentication makes users prove they are who they say they are by making users sign in with a password and then authenticate their attempt at access.

Using these tips will put you in a solid position to get the most out of your computing efforts. If you find this helpful, share it with your friends.