Protecting Your Computer From Physical and Systemic Damage

Summary: Computers last longer when they are protected from both physical damage and damage from malware. There are several simple ways to protect computers and laptops from damage.

Prevent and Protect to Prolong Tech Lifespan

The life span of a computer often depends on how it’s maintained. Unfortunately, many users are not diligent in the care of their devices. In fact, users often ignore warning signs of breakdowns to come and simple computer care best practices can increase the longevity of the machine and avoid costly computer repairs. Here are some ways of protecting your computer:

• Cleaning and Dusting – Over time, accumulated dust, dirt, pet hair and the like will slow the cooling fans on your computers and eventually cause more severe problems to arise. For example, dirt and crumbs into your keyboard will cause the keys to malfunction and internal dust and debris can lead to internal electrical shorts. Also, it is not wise to leave a computer on the floor because it is easier for more dirt to get in.
  • When cleaning the monitor screen, do not spray directly onto the surface. Instead, spray onto a microfiber cloth and gently clean the screen with the cloth.
• Avoiding Excess Heat – An overheated computer can be overworked and slow down. Fans, processors and batteries (for laptops) can malfunction and burn out. Always use desktop computers and laptops on hard, flat surfaces. For example, using laptops on clothing or bedspreads can cause the cooling fans to get blocked and overheat the device.
• Eating and Drinking Away from Computers – It is tempting to keep working while eating or drinking. It is not a good practice as crumbs and liquids getting into your PC or laptop can damage or destroy the device.
• Protecting Your Laptop – Portability increases the potential for physical damage. For example, tossing your device on your bed or picking it up by its screen is reckless handling. Also, laptops are not furniture that you may place things on. Use a padded bag to transport your laptop. The casing, screen, keyboard and all the internal components are delicate and, over time, will become damaged from rough handling. Also, if you have an internal hard disc drive (HDD) drive, the extra motion and impact could dislocate the drive and corrupt your data.
• Practicing Electrical Safety – Many users take the powering of computers for granted. Although many use power strips, it is essential to use a dedicated surge protector. Power strips are essentially extension cords. A quality surge protector takes the brunt of damage, reducing the chance of damage from power surges. They also need to be replaced every few years as their level of protection degrades over time. An old surge protector might not offer any protection and you might not realize that until it is too late.
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply – If you wish to eliminate all the risk of computer damage from power surges, you might consider purchasing an uninterruptible power supply which is a battery backup to keep your machine operating in the event of a power outage to save your data and if necessary, allow you to shut down your system safely.
  • For Laptops – Most users pack up their power cords and take them with their laptops. However, over time, handling and mishandling a power cord can cause internal breaks and kinks, damaged plugs, and even electrical fires. Gently unplug by gripping the plug, not yanking on the cord.
• Replace Old Laptop Batteries – Like cell phones and other battery-operated devices, laptop batteries wear out over time. An old battery reading as 100% charged and good for 8 hours of operation may fail after only a few hours. You must check your actual battery health (in settings) or you may be stuck on a plane with a dead laptop.

Also, it is not a good practice to let your laptop entirely run out of power. Letting it zero out too often will diminish battery life.

What to do if You Spill Water on Your Laptop

Spilling water or other liquids on a laptop or dropping it in a pool or sink can cause extensive damage. Liquids will make connections inside the machine, causing it to short. Liquids can also cause internal parts to corrode. Knowing what to do if you spill water on your laptop or other computer can help you act quickly to mitigate damage. Try these steps:

• Power it down immediately
• Turn it upside down
• Remove the battery and any physically connected devices
• Blot up as much water as you can
• If you know how to remove the hard drive and other components, do so.
• Let your device dry for at least 24 hours

Protecting Computers From Viruses

Anti-Virus programs are essential for computer health. Malware and viruses wreak havoc with computers and can cause them to malfunction. Since over 90% of cyberattacks start with an employee clicking on a malicious link, being cautious about what you click on, open, and download (security awareness) is a big part of cyber security. Caution and security awareness training is a excellent, but is not enough to protect your connected devices. Hackers constantly develop new attack methods as technology changes. Good programs are updated continuously for new virus definitions, and scans can be set to be continuous with alerts and automatic quarantining of malware threats. The latest and best versions of antivirus software have live security operations center (SOC) monitoring included.

Other basic cyber security best practices include password storage and management (a password locker), multi-factor authentication (MFA) and training to improve knowledge of the latest cyber scams to watch out for. Also, keeping your software (including system software) up to date is another layer of security. Security glitches found in previous versions of applications are often fixed in new updates and are at no additional cost to the user. The cost of protection is a small fraction of the cost of a data breach and the resulting liability, ongoing financial loss and harm to reputation.

Key Takeaways: Protecting Your Computer

Protecting computers from both physical, external harm and damage from malware and viruses is essential for their longevity and reliable operation. Ask your IT technician for affordable network security options designed for small and midsized businesses to help protect network data and connected devices.