A Guide to Digital Spring Cleaning

Thriveon
digital spring cleaning national clean out your computer device cleaning
National Clean Out Your Computer Day on Feb. 12 serves as a reminder to give our digital companions some much-needed TLC. With over 94% of American households owning a computer, it’s crucial to maintain and organize devices for optimal performance and security. In 2000, the Institute of Business 

Technology (IBT) initiated this holiday, encouraging users to clean the inside and outside of their devices.

Let’s explore five ways to observe this day and keep our digital lives in tip-top shape.

1. Clear Space on Your Hard Drivehard drive clean hard drive blank hard drive

Start by freeing up valuable space on your hard drive. Delete old downloads, unnecessary internet files and obsolete programs. Also remove duplicated files, including emails, documents and photos, and empty your trash bin. Uninstall apps and programs you rarely use to enhance your computer’s speed significantly.

Use the disk cleanup tool for Windows or the disk utility tool for Mac to identify and remove these files. By doing this, you not only improve performance but also reduce the risk of potential cyber threats.

2. Organize Existing Documents and Filesorganize files documents

A cluttered digital space can be as frustrating as a messy physical space. Take the time to organize your existing documents and files into folders. This will make it easier to find what you need and contribute to a more efficient and streamlined computer experience.

Place the files where they belong and create clear and identifiable names for your files. Tidy up your desktop, bookmarks and shortcuts.

3. Backup Your Datastorage cloud data storage backup data backup

Protect your valuable data by implementing a regular backup routine. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: have three copies of your data stored in two different formats, with one copy stored offsite. This ensures that even in the event of a hardware failure or cyber attack, your important files, documents and pictures are safe.

Consider using air gapping techniques to create an additional layer of security by physically isolating your backup from your device and the internet.

4. Implement Antimalware and Antivirus Softwaresecurity antimalware antivirus software

Enhance your computer’s security by implementing reliable antimalware and antivirus software. Regularly update these programs to ensure they have the latest virus defenses; outdated software can leave your devices vulnerable. If you won’t remember to manually update your devices, set automatic updates.

Set up spam filters in your email to protect against malware and phishing attacks. Also consider using a virtual private network (VPN) and firewall to enhance your privacy and add a layer of security.

5. Clean the Outside of Your Devicescleaning laptop surface keyboard device clean

Maintaining your devices isn’t only about the inside – you should also focus on cleaning the outside. Slowly and carefully clean the fans, dust off the motherboard and wipe down the screen. Use pressurized air to clean out the keyboard.

Thriveon Can Help

At Thriveon, we understand the importance of keeping your devices organized and safe. Our proactive managed IT and cybersecurity services can help your devices operate with enhanced speed, efficiency and security.

Schedule a meeting with us now to see how we can help your devices.

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