If your typical New Year’s resolutions lasted about 30 seconds, you’re not alone. Pledges to eat better, start running and learn how to juggle can be rebooted again next year easy enough.This year, we challenge you to think about your tech health with some resolutions you’ll want to keep.
No More Junk Mail
Whether you checked a box agreeing to get newsletters, or you have no idea how you got on that list, it’s time to say goodbye. Start by emptying your mailbox to zero unread messages – no you don’t have to read all that spam – you have permission to delete it unread. Let’s face it, if you were going to read it, you would have done so already. Away it goes.
Now that you’re starting with a clean slate and a huge feeling of accomplishment, resolve this: Each day, unsubscribe from 5-10 lists. Generally, if a newsletter gives the option to unsubscribe or Opt Out, you want to do that instead of just marking it as junk. So, keep an eagle eye out for that gorgeous ‘unsubscribe’ link and click it with confidence. Before too long, your inbox will be a refreshing place filled only with people and businesses you look forward to hearing from.
ProTip: Search your inbox for the word ‘unsubscribe’ to quickly find anything that has that option! You don’t need to give a reason if the link redirects to a survey page, but do watch for tricky buttons that will actually resubscribe your address.
Go Password Pro
With all these password leaks from LinkedIn, Myspace, and goodness knows who hasn’t come forward, now’s the time to get smart with your passwords. Because most people use the same passwords on every site, a single breach can be the hack that keeps on giving. If a bad guy has a set of credentials for one hacked site, they have automated programs that will check HUNDREDS of other sites to see if those same credentials get them in! Now that you know how important it is to use different passwords for each site, let’s be real, that’s a LOT of passwords to remember!
Instead of writing them down, we recommend using a password manager like LastPass or Dashlane. They remember all your various passwords for you, so all you need to know is the super-protected master password. Master passwords are kept encrypted on your system, not theirs (no chance for them to be hacked and expose your info!), and optional 2-factor authentication checks with you via text or a code on your smartphone for all big changes. We use LastPass in our shop, so we certainly feel that you can trust it for your valuable data.
Backup. No Really, Backup.
“I’ve been meaning to backup!” is the cry of someone who just lost all their photos. Good intentions don’t count AT ALL in data security because once the data is gone, it’s gone. With new modern cloud backup options, there’s no reason to put this off because backup apps are now easier and more accessible than ever before. You can backup to local hard drives instead, but this will take a little extra remembering on your part as you’ll want to have at least one drive that stays disconnected in case of encryption viruses.
There you have it. Three New Year’s resolutions you can easily keep, and that will make a real difference to your year. Opening your email will be a pleasure, you’ll be a spectator only in any future password leaks, and your precious files will be safe against all manner of disaster. Feels better than any diet, doesn’t it?