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Give up these extremely ugly technology habits right now

Users need to eliminate some bad technology habits that harm their privacy, security, and even their health.

5 December, 2023

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Take some time to learn about some common technology habits that users need to abandon to make everything in life better.

Using weak passwords and reusing them

It is now 2020, but there are still many people who use weak passwords and reuse them. Using weak, easily guessable passwords and reusing them is bad on many levels. Not only is it easy to be compromised and a risk to privacy/security, if one of the accounts is compromised, all other accounts the user uses the same email/password for are also at risk.

Therefore, it is important to create a strong password for each service and if afraid of forgetting them, users can use a password manager to save them. Just remember not to use weak passwords and the same password for every account.

Too much time on the screen

Spending too much time using a laptop or smartphone can lead to lack of sleep and social skills. Make sure to take regular breaks and limit screen time as much as possible. If using devices at night, at least use blue light filter tools to reduce the impact on sleep.

Leaving the device unlocked

We have the habit of keeping a large amount of personal information on our devices, so it is important to secure them to prevent unwanted consequences. The easiest way to do this is to create a strong password to prevent unauthorized access to the device, especially in the case of the device being stolen.

If unlocking with a password is inconvenient, users can use some convenient and secure biometric methods if they exist on the device.

Using pirated software

It may save money, but it should be avoided as it is one of the ways that malware and spyware are distributed, alongside the fact that it is an illegal act. Malware can steal data on the device and perform unpleasant actions. If lacking money for certain software, try finding free or cheaper alternatives.

Not backing up data

It would be painful if important work data or stored memories are lost without being able to recover them. Therefore, consider using cloud storage services. They are easy to use and the cost is not too expensive if users look at what they bring. Users can even encrypt their data before uploading to the cloud to make sure it is not accessible on the other side.

If not going down this route, at least buy an external hard drive and backup everything there. Just remember to update the backup regularly and keep the drive in a safe place. The best solution is to backup on the computer, on an external hard drive, and a cloud service, but it is also the most expensive solution.

Sharing an account with multiple users

Do not share accounts or passwords with anyone else. Besides privacy issues, any consequences can occur, such as them accidentally deleting important files on the computer. All major operating systems support multiple user accounts, and users can even create guest accounts in some cases.

Not updating software

New security vulnerabilities are discovered regularly, so security patches are often sent to fix these vulnerabilities. If the software on the device is not updated quickly, users will be an easy target for attackers trying to exploit these vulnerabilities. Additionally, users will also miss out on bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.

Therefore, make it a habit to update the software on your device regularly. Users can even set up automatic updates to not have to think about it.

Using a laptop on the lap

It is not okay to place a laptop on the lap for a long period of time. Research has shown that this can have an impact on health due to the temperature and radiation most laptops emit. For men, it may result in a lower sperm count, while everyone can be prone to skin infections. So try to find a desk where users can place the laptop to work, or at least put something to prevent the laptop from coming into contact with their skin.