9 ways to tech yourself smarter

Tweet-sized tricks from technology experts to help you upgrade your life.

1. HOW DO I REVIVE A SODDEN SMARTPHONE? Unplug, turn off, and gently shake out. Zip it in a plastic bag with rice or silica gel packets to speed up drying. Wait for two days. Pray.

2. WHAT IS A “CLOUD” AND HOW DOES IT WORK? This crash-proof “hard drive” in the sky stores documents, pictures, MP3 files, and more online. Try Apple iCloud, Windows Live SkyDrive, or Dropbox for free.

3. SHOULD I LET MY COMPUTER AND PHONE BATTERIES RUN OUT BEFORE I CHARGE THEM? No, but when you reach 100 per cent, unplug it as charging a lithium-ion battery after it’s full saps longevity.

4. CAN THE COMPANY I.T GUY READ MY EMAIL? He can… but under the Data Protection Act your company has to let you know if it’s accessing private data. Send juicy emails via your own smartphone to be extra safe.

5. CAN SOMEONE TELL HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE VIEWED THEIR FACEBOOK PROFILE? Nope. Your safe, so cyberspace away.

6. HOW CAN I AVOID A COMPUTER VIRUS? Get good antivirus software (like AVG Anti-Virus FREE, free.avg.com) and check for updates each day as you log on – they’re released in response to the number and severity of threats.

7. SHOP ONLINE A LOT. HOW DO I KEEP MY CREDIT CARD SAFE? The payment-page address should begin with https://. And avoid sites with an “invalid security certificate” window.

8. CAN I REMOVE OR HIDE AN ITEM THAT APPEARS IN THE RESULTS WHEN MY NAME IS GOOGLED? It’s tough. Ask the site’s admin to delete the offending entry. Or open a Twitter or LinkedIn account or start blogging to nudge it down.

9. WHEN SHOULD I CORRESPOND ON PAPER INSTEAD OF EMAIL? Royal mail is appropriate for gifts given (wedding, baby), cards of support (illness, sympathy) and job interview thank-yous. And always to Gran. Otherwise, email is fine.

Read the full article, courtesy of Women’s Health, here: http://goo.gl/kr8VNc