Six easy steps to start the new year, and decade, with a clean computer – inside and out.
Clear out your mailbox.
Everyone holds on to unnecessary emails that you’ll “look at later,” so start by deleting old emails that you no longer want or need. OIT recommends archiving any emails that you wish to keep that are one year old or older. To keep your email uncluttered moving forward, consider sorting your mail into folders and unsubscribing from repetitive promotional emails.
Delete outdated files.
Be realistic about files you still need and those that are just taking up space. This is also a good time to review your folder structure. Consider sorting files with the date in the file name, so the newest documents are easy to retrieve. Archive files that you do not access regularly, but still want to hang onto.
Back up important data.
For most of us, the sensitive documents we keep under physical lock and key are reduced to birth certificates and marriage documents. What about all of the other important information you have? Is it stored electronically and locally on your machine? Say it isn’t so. Important documentation should be backed up to a secure and encrypted location. OIT recommends Box cloud storage for important UA files. If you prefer to back up to an external hard drive, remember to plug the hard drive in when it is time to backup and unplug the device when the back up is complete.
Clear browser data.
Is your browser slower than normal? Time to clear your cache and cookies. Visit your browser settings, select advanced settings, then clear browser data. Note: if you have passwords stored within the browser itself, this may clear saved passwords. OIT recommends using the secure LastPass browser extension instead. Also, review saved bookmarked links in your browser and remove old and unnecessary saved pages.
Update your software.
Updated software equals secure software. Make sure your software is running the latest version, and turn on auto updates to ensure you receive timely updates. For most machines, you can click Help, then Check for Updates to select the auto-update feature. Check the OIT website for guidance on when to update your operating system.
Clean the exterior of your device.
When is the last time you disinfected your devices? Just think for a moment about how many germs could be living on your device. Some reports say that the average smart phone has 10 times more germs than a toilet seat. Use microbial wipes to disinfect your mouse, keyboard, tablet and phone to keep germs at bay, especially during cold and flu season.
Questions?
Have questions about any of the tips listed above? OIT’s Service Desk is on campus and ready to help. Contact the IT Service Desk at 205-348-5555 or itsd@ua.edu.