Technology Tips

Whether you're buying a computer for school, learning how to use the campus computer lab, or just want to be able to back up your schoolwork digitally, this page will help you out!

Buying a College Computer and Accessories

• Laptops are both easier to transport and appropriate for most degree programs' work.
• Buy a middle-of-the-road computer in terms of RAM, video/graphics card, and hard drive space. You won't need a top-of-the-line machine unless you're going into a field like graphic design or architecture.
• Make sure your laptop has good ventilation holes on the bottom and back. The more ventilation, the longer its components will last.
• Invest in a good quality, USB-connected external fan to sit your laptop on.
• If you will also be using this laptop for gaming, seek out a laptop with a dedicated graphics card. More expensive but very much WORTH IT.
• Check for at least 3-4 USB ports on the laptop before buying it.
• Invest in a good quality flash drive or external hard drive, and back up your work onto it every day. (You will be glad you did!!)

Caring for Your Computer

• Do not use your laptop directly on a fabric surface like a blanket or bed--it blocks the computer's ventilation and will damage the computer's components with excessive heat.
• Do not leave your computer in a hot car or in the sun for extended periods of time.
• Do not toss a laptop around--you could damage its hard drive.
• Run anti-virus and spyware scans every week. (I schedule mine to auto-run in the background.)
• Restart your computer at least once a day using the internal shutdown procedures; DO NOT just press the power button until it turns off!!
• Plug your external fan in when you'll be using the computer for a while.
• Run a disk cleanup and defragment your hard drive regularly. (I run the free versions of CCleaner and Defraggler every week.)
• Use an ad blocker on your Internet browser; I personally recommend uBlock.
• Turn on private/incognito browsing, especially if you have to use unsecured wireless networks to get online.
• Never click on website ads. NEVER.
• Do not click links that someone randomly sends you.
• Do not allow other websites, such as game or quiz sites, to have your social media information.

Wireless Internet Usage

• Use secured wireless networks (the ones marked with a little padlock icon) when possible!
• Rename your wireless router so that it stands out from all the default names.
• Encrypt your wireless signal to keep out most hackers.
• Avoid checking bank balances, social media, etc., on unsecured wireless networks.
• If you have to use unsecured networks, make sure to log out of everything (don't just close the browser window).
• For that matter, log out of everything when you're done with it anyway!
• Don't turn on AutoComplete for forms you fill out in your browser.
• Don't use other people's wireless internet without their permission.
• Don't illegally download anything or hack into anything, especially on a college network--you WILL get kicked out of school! (Happened to an acquaintance of mine who thought she wouldn't be caught)

Safe Email Strategies

• Have multiple email addresses:
  
  • School email address
  • Personal email address
  • Social media email address
  • Professional email address
• Develop different passwords for each email account you have, and make sure they aren't easily guessed from your email address itself.
• Do not sign up for newsletters, ad campaigns, store circulars, or ANYTHING that you don't just have to. Keeping your email addresses as private as possible will keep away most spam and hackers.
• Use a program/app that can access all your emails in one place; I personally use Thunderbird and the Apple Mail app on my phone, but here is a list of other alternatives as well. This IS a little security risk, but if you're careful, you can still use this for convenience.

Using Public Computers and Printers

• Make sure you log out of everything you sign into (don't just close the browser window).
• Do not visit sketchy sites or even social media--keep it collegiate and professional.
• Don't download huge files; your college account could be flagged for abuse.
• Save all your work on your flash drive or external hard drive, or use Google Docs.
• If your school doesn't have a computer lab, find out where the local community library is.
• Have small bills and change with you to pay for copying/printing fees.

Other Tech Tips

• Before a big presentation or meeting, email your needed documents to yourself before leaving.
• You can also store your necessary documents on Google Docs and access it through a smartphone app.
• Every month (at least), carefully clean your computer's screen and keyboard.

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