Common Computer Mistakes Beginners Make

Below listed common mistakes we find beginner computer users making and how they can avoid falling into the same mistakes. Here are the following common computers mistakes people do from time to time:

Common Computer Mistakes Beginners Make

Switching PC off from the CPU

Some people either unplug the CPU or press the power button in order to turn the whole PC off. Don’t do that! Properly shut it down through the task bar to save your files and avoid it from being corrupted.

Unplugging USB 

Unplugging your USB without safely removing it may end up with you corrupting your files. Make sure that you safely remove it through the task bar.

Leaving Trash

Your deleted files end up being in the trash (Recycle Bin) folder, where you can either recover these deleted files or have it permanently deleted. Some people forget it and leave it piling up, wasting storage! Check your Trash(Recycle Bin) folder and delete the useless files.

Installing the wrong Software

Depending on the PC you use, the software you will download will depend on its operating system and specification. Most people end up accidentally using Mac software for Windows and the other way around! It’s a waste of time, so make sure to read what you’re installing before doing so.

Overusing the PC

Just like people, PCs need to have time to rest. That way, it will have a longer lifetime and will be able to still have good performance. Make sure that your eyes and your PC are properly shut down and get the adequate amount of rest to avoid it from overheating and breaking.

Installing too much Apps

Sometimes, people can go crazy with widgets and apps that can be installed on the PC. While these apps claim to improve productivity, it may end up being a waste of space, slowing down your PC’s performance. So, Only install what you need.

Not updating PC

Your PC operating system will usually have updates. Choosing to postpone them will slow down your PC’s performance, so make sure you keep it updated for any bug fixes or added features!

Type of PC

A common mistake is choosing the wrong PC. Measure what you want based on the specification and operating system you need, as well as why you need it and your budget.

Spending too much

Another common mistake is that people end up purchasing a very expensive PC with added equipment and gadgets they don’t need! Find out the things you need before wasting your money on equipment you won’t be using instead.

Not Backing Up System

One of the biggest and most common mistakes that many end users are guilty of making is not backing up their personal data. Today, there are so many different methods to back up necessary files such as backup software, external hard drives, USB sticks, etc.

Not Using Antivirus Software

Another mistake that beginners tend to make is to operate their systems without antivirus software installed and running on them. There are so many internet security programs available on the internet, many of which are free to use such as AVG, Avast, ESET, McCafee. So there is no reason why anyone should risk infecting their machine, by surfing the internet without one.

Opening Email Attachments

One of the most common ways of infecting a system with a virus is through an email attachment. Many computer beginners tend to make the mistake of opening the attachments from unsolicited emails. Before opening an attachment, it’s very important that firstly, you know who the sender is and secondly, you know what the attachment is. Random emails with attachments in them are almost always a virus, irrespective of the sender.
       Nowadays, Browsers are able to identify infected attachment. Some of these are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome.

Not Updating the Operating System

Your computer’s operating system continues to evolve, even after you’ve purchased it through the addition of various updates, so it’s very important that you keep everything up-to-date, for that reason alone. The second reason is because of hackers who are constantly looking for weak spots in these operating systems that they can exploit. The developers are, fortunately aware of this, which is why they are constantly releasing new security updates to plug up these weak spots, this is why it’s so important you conduct regularly update checks.

Using Weak Passwords

Any account that you make is only as secure as the password you use to protect it. Many beginners make the mistake of using the same password for their Gmail, PayPal, eBay, Hotmail and iTunes accounts. Such situations can be further compounded by the end user using a simple-to-guess password like “1234”. Because of their easiness to guess, this makes them highly vulnerable to brute force attacks. It’s always best to use a strong password of at least 8 characters and mix numbers and special characters in there. It’s also best to user different passwords or at least variations of your password for each account.

Drinking near Computers

A mistake that we’re all guilty of doing is placing a glass of water near our electronics. One thing we should bear in mind that water is capable of permanently damaging the physical components in our computer systems. So, Be careful.Take caution, when consuming any sort of beverages near your computer.

Downloading Bad Software

Another very common way of getting a virus on your computer is to mistakenly download a fake program and install it on your computer. The types of viruses that get on your computer through this manner tend to be the most severe, prohibiting normal system functionality. Thus, it’s very important that you only download software from reputable sources.

Not Reading Agreements

Many end users, especially beginners tend to make the mistake of clicking on Next without reading what exactly they are agreeing to. Make sure you take the time to read any prompts that popup on your screen, as you don’t want to mistakenly install a browser toolbar, or some other software that is of little to no use to you.

Clicking on Advertisements on Download Pages

A very common tactic deployed by certain website owners is to fill a download page with ads in hopes that the end user will mistakenly click on one, instead of the correct download link. Probably something we’ve all done at least once, because of how seamless these site owners are able to integrate these ads onto their pages. That said you should always double check or even triple check, before clicking on anything, as you do not want to install a virus on your computer.

Not Saving Work

It’s very important you ensure your work is being saved automatically by the program. If the program does not have such a feature, then it’s up to you to regularly save your work, after at most intervals of 10 – 15 minutes, this way, if your computer crashes or loses power (for some reason), you will never lose more than 15 minutes of your work.

Conclusion

These common computer mistakes will have you know what NOT to do. Technology tips are important to know for everybody who uses Technology. That way, you’ll be able to use your PC correctly and fully utilize it to its maximum ability. You will be more productive, and therefore, make the PC a great investment either for business or pleasure. What are you waiting for? Start checking your PC to see if you’ve made any of these common computer mistakes!