computer · 4 Corner IT

Magnets Are Not Your Computer’s Friend

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When we invest so much money into a new computer system, we need to ensure we do all that we can to protect our hardware from damage. Magnets are one of the biggest risks to computers. No matter how advanced your device is, you need to do all you can to protect it. Let’s look at how magnets can damage a device and whether it’s something you should be concerned about.

The Truth About Magnets and Computers

If you look at magnetic fields in a scientific manner, it’s true that magnets can damage electronics. However, the length of time the hardware is exposed to the magnet and the strength of the magnetic field will have a huge impact on the damage that’s done to your microprocessor. A small fridge magnet or a case on your tablet won’t cause major damage. In fact, most small magnets you have lying around your home will likely be safe to keep around a computer.

Large, heavy-duty magnets are the things you need to be aware of. They are much stronger than your typical fridge magnet. They can even erase and destroy data, causing permanent damage to electronics.

How Much of a Risk are Magnets to Your Computer?

For anyone who works with heavy-duty magnets on a daily basis, you are likely to experience a greater risk to your devices. Most people are going to be okay in their working environment, and will find that the magnets aren’t in operation or strong enough to cause any disruption.

You might be surprised to learn that most hard drives have magnetic disks, which are used to store and write the data on them. They are stronger than your typical fridge magnet, so there is pretty much no chance of damage to the microprocessor.

Smartphones can also be disrupted by a strong magnetic field. Many phones use magnetic materials, such as iPhone cases, but the risk is reduced when you take away the magnet. Smartphones don’t use magnet discs, however, they usually have small magnets, which can temporarily disable some functions with exposure.

The Final Word

To play it safe, we recommend that you don’t use your phone or computer around strong magnets. The magnetic field might not do permanent damage, but you’ll not want to play around with this just in case it causes long-term damage to your devices.

We hope that this helps you to protect your devices in the future. Let us know if there are any other topics you’d like us to discuss in the upcoming weeks, so that we can address some of your most pressing concerns about technology. For further assistance, contact our team today, who will be happy to share how we can stop your systems and devices from becoming corrupted in the future by exposure to magnets or other security risks.

Why It’s Important to Lock Your Computer and Phone

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Network security is not always about implementing new encryption protocols and using state-of-the-art tools to protect your business. Sometimes, it’s the small things that can make a massive difference. So, if your collective staff can implement this one easy trick, you might be surprised by how beneficial it can be for your network’s security. This practice? Locking your computer and phone.

What Is Locking Your Phone and Computer?

Essentially, your phone and computer can go into a sort of sleep mode when they’re not being used. You do this every time you close the screen on your phone. When your phone “wakes up” to be used, there should be a password required to get back into your phone. Otherwise, anyone can swipe the screen and start reading.

Locking your phone is second nature, and many people have complex passkeys or fingerprints required to do so. Computers are a different matter. Most office workers will stand up and leave their desks without locking their PC. The better practice is to lock your PC. Either perform the lock sequence that will prompt the next user for a password or put it into sleep mode that requires a password upon your return.

Let’s take a quick look at the benefits you get from locking your phone and computer.

Keeping Private Documents Out of Sight

The chances that corporate espionage is going to take place at a medium-sized landscaping company might be small compared to a large media conglomerate. Nevertheless, private documents on phones and computers often hide passwords and personal information.

Allowing those resources to be compromised can harm your reputation. Additionally, can leave you open to many problems, including lawsuits.

Your Work Phone and Computer Are Vectors for Malware

Hundreds of people can come and go from a large workplace daily. It’s not like you can keep track of them all. Unfortunately, it only takes one person with bad intent to find a computer or work phone that is connected to your company’s network and upload malware.

The most common vector for malware these days is email, and many of your company’s resources are geared towards stopping that threat as long as it’s from an external source. However, if someone sends an internal email from a trusted worker’s account and CCs everyone in the building, then it’s safe to say most people would let down their guard enough to open that email.

All it takes is a single terminal to remain unlocked and someone can wreak havoc on your business. Locking your computer and work phones can deter this threat or make at least delay the intruder long enough for them to be caught.

The benefits of locking your phone and computer at work go beyond malware and corporate espionage, though. It stops workers from learning about promotions, pay rates, and internal investigations. Locking your computer can also prevent data from being altered on a project without your knowledge.

Implementing this change is simple, and it does not require a lot of time. Get your team together, teach them how to lock their computers and phones, and test them once in a while to make sure they’re compliant. Not only will this increase security, but it will make your workers feel more like true stakeholders in the well-being of your business.

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Computer Tip of the Day: Maintaining Mind/Body Balance at the Keyboard

It’s no secret that Americans are spending more time engaged with screens than ever before. According to experts, this time are the keyboard is having an impact on their health. When asked to elaborate on this topic, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block cited increased hours in front of screens in connection with weight gain and sleeplessness.

Bright light reduces levels of the hormone melatonin, which regulates sleep, and decreases leptin, which makes you feel full. At the same time, bright light increases ghrelin, which makes you feel hungry. So more time with computers and phones can make us gain weight not just because we’re more sedentary, but because of their effect on our sleep cycles (UCLA).

If your job requires that you spend large swaths of time at the keyboard, you’re at increased risks for health complications. But fear not. This post is for you.

Physical Breaks

If you work in front of screens, it’s important that you take regular physical breaks. Sitting for long periods of time can lead to serious circulation issues, as well as other health complications. A good first step to combat this would be to set a timer to remind yourself to take regular stretching breaks. In addition, consider investing in a standing desk. Health benefits include increased weight loss, decreased back pain, and elevated energy levels.

Mental Breaks

Evidence points to the fact that increased use of technology is actually rewiring our brains, changing the way we think and behave. In order to decrease its impact and protect ourselves from electronic addiction and mental exhaustion, we must schedule regular breaks throughout the day. We must consciously unplug and allow the non-stop pressure of digital communication to pass us by.

Perspective

Although many of us love the idea of breaks, the reality is that we’re not always the best judges of when and how to work them into our schedules. We push ourselves nearly to the breaking point before taking action. Rather than letting situations spiral out of control, we must take charge by planning consistent physical and mental breaks into our routines.

We Can Help

For more on this or any of our premium services, please feel free to contact us at any time.

We look forward to serving you.

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5 Computer Time-Saving Hacks For Your Business

When you need to get work done before a specific deadline, you can’t afford a slow computer that wastes your time and interferes with your productivity. Here are five computer tips and hacks for saving time.

Use the Spacebar

If you are scrolling through a long article, you can quickly skip a whole screen’s worth of it by clicking on the space bar. This is especially useful when using your mouse or the arrow buttons to scroll is taking a painfully long time.

Use Grammarly

Grammarly is an app that can be added to your browser. It checks your spelling, and it also corrects simple grammar mistakes. It is free to use, though there is a paid version for more advanced grammar mistakes. This will save you a lot of time when writing an email or something online where there is no spell checker.

Use a Password Manager

Instead of constantly having to remember each password and wasting time trying different passwords out, just use a password manager. Not only will it save you time, but it will also help protect you from identity theft and hackers.

Use Autofill

Many browsers have an autofill feature that will automatically fill out your information such as your name, address, phone number, state, zip code, and so on when you are filling out online forms. This will save you a lot of time. Remember to double-check each form, however, and tweak your autofill settings when necessary.

Don’t Overburden Your Computer

Computers slow down when they have a lot of tasks to do. Shut down unnecessary apps in the background. Use the task manager to figure out which apps are using up the most CPU. Keep your computer cool by cleaning the fan area often.

For more computer tips and hacks, contact us today.

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Daily Computer Tips For Organizations

As computers become a necessity in almost every other enterprise, it is essential for executives to gain knowledge on how best you can safeguard their systems. That will not only protect against external threats but also inherent risks likely to impair the normal functioning of such installations. Here are some tips to consider on a continuous basis to make that possible.

Beware Of Social Media Posts

In an era where social media interactions are the order of the day, you need to exercise caution regarding the information you avail to the public on such avenues. Employees with access to your company’s online social accounts can release unauthorized details about the firm through these social tools.

That gives online hackers an opportunity to use such data to dig deeper into various aspects of a particular entity. Therefore, monitor your firm’s social media accounts closely and advise those who have access to company social accounts on the dangers of sharing such details as ID numbers, birth dates, among others on these accounts.

Consider Using Passwords With Many Characters

Password-guessing programs and computer hackers can easily crack simple passwords. Using passwords with a combination of letters, symbols, numbers, and special characters make it harder for any of these to access an organization’s network system. It is wise to encourage all employees to use such passwords as a safety precaution. Also, remind them to choose a combination they can recall quickly.

Do not forget to caution your staff against storing such information on their computers or writing the same on a piece of paper for reference as well. Instead, insist on having them memorize their login credentials.

Avoid WEP WiFi Security Connections

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is an older protocol that is less secure for staff wishing to access the company’s network remotely. Nowadays, most companies are working with their employees remotely for various reasons. Such individuals may want to obtain certain documents from the entity from time to time and from a different location, depending on the task at hand.

In such situations, these workers should ensure that access to such networks is through WiFi Protected Access (WPA2). The latter offers high-grade encryption critical for safeguarding the firm’s systems. If you need more information on computer tips for organizations, contact us today.

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