Page 80 - August 2016 Life In Naples Magazine
P. 80
naples mac help
10 things to do when you get
a new computer or device
G etting a new device often causes opposing improves both security and efficiency, so having it happen
emotions, joy and fear. The joy is from the automatically is one less thing to worry about.
excitement of getting a new and updated device,
the fear is the dread of getting a new and updated device. 6. Start using Cloud services for documents and other
This article will help you make the transition with an files that you use. Dropbox and iCloud are two of the
abundance of joy and very little fear. services that everyone has access to, and they are great for
backing up files, sharing files and accessing files from any
1. Disable automatic login. If your computer or device is device, anywhere.
set so that when you turn it on or wake it up you are already
signed in and ready to go, this is not secure, as anyone can 7. Use a password manager. Now more than ever,
access your device and its contents. If it is portable device, passwords are an integral part of our digital lives. The
create a passcode or password, and do the same for your requirements for passwords are becoming more complex,
laptop and desktop computers. and we have all been notified to change a password when
a database somewhere has been hacked. Using a password
2. If you have a Mac computer, enable File Vault. File management program such as 1Password or LastPass will
Vault is an encryption method that password protects the help you secure all your passwords as well as help you create
entire computer and its contents. If it is stolen or someone complex passwords that the program will remember for
attempts access, they are locked out and cannot access any you.
files or bypass File Vault. There are several other ways to
get into a Mac even if it is protected by a normal login 8. Have an alternate web browser. It is always good to
password. File Vault offers bulletproof encryption that have an alternate web browser such as Google Chrome for
cannot be penetrated. If you have a Windows computer, those times you may have trouble accessing a site through
the VeraCrypt program will protect your computer much Safari or Edge/Internet Explorer. Chrome also includes
like File Vault does. built-in software to view Flash websites without having to
download the software from Adobe, which seems to need
3. Implement a backup system. If you have a computer, an update every few weeks.
back up to an external drive or cloud service, devices can
also be backed up to a computer or cloud service. Both 9. Use an antivirus software program on Windows
iPhones and Android phones can back up to Apple’s or computers, and use an anti-malware program on both
Google’s cloud service. Remember: If you don’t back it up, Windows and Mac computers. These can prevent future
you can’t get it back! headaches by stopping these programs before they start
causing problems.
4. Have a remote support option for your computer. On
Apple computers, you can share screens remotely using 10. For portable devices, enable Find my iPhone for
iMessage, there are other programs such as TeamViewer Apple devices, and Android Device Manager for Android
that work on both Mac and Windows machines. Having devices. Theses services can help you locate a lost device
knowledge of this can save you from having to carry your via GPS, remotely lock or even erase a device remotely. On
desktop computer into a shop some day. Apple computers, you can also enable Find My Mac to
locate a laptop easily.
5. Turn on automatic software updates. Since most
people have several devices that often sync information Next time you are thinking about replacing a device,
such as address books and calendars, keeping the software refer to these steps first and your concerns and fears will
on each device updated is key to keeping these syncing be replaced by the joy of having a new, gleaming device to
services working together. As the software updates, it replace the old! Always make sure to responsibly recycle
your old electronics!
Jeff Bohr | Naples Mac Help 239.595.0482 | jeff@jeffbohr.com
80 Life in Naples | August • September • October 2016
