Have you received a new device recently, maybe a new laptop for Christmas. Or perhaps a family member has received a new smartphone for Christmas and you have acquired a hand-me-down, so maybe not new, but new to you and better that the one you had, or maybe this is your first smartphone. Either way, it’s important that you set up your new device properly.
- If you have a new laptop, it probably came pre-installed with an Anti-virus package, maybe Norton or McAfee. But did you know it’s probably only free for 3 months. After that, you will either have to subscribe to keep it active or remove it and maybe replace it with a free package.
- If you have a nearly new device, has it been cleared of files, personal data and Apps that may not be useful to you.
- Have you copied the email, documents, photographs etc from your old computer?
- Have you customised your new laptop or smartphone? Perhaps changing the power settings so it stays on longer or tweaking notifications.
- Have you installed any useful apps, or re-installed apps like Whatsapp, Zoom or your Smart Heating App?
- Perhaps you would like to install some new apps, like a QR code reader or the NHS app.
We can help with any of these tasks and more.
Now that you are all set with your new device, what about your old device? Perhaps you have a few old devices tucked away in the back of a cupboard.
- Your old device will have all your documents, emails and photos on, not to mention your personal data like usernames and passwords, etc. So before you do anything with an old device, you must remove your data first.
- You may want to give your old device to someone else or gift / donate it to a charity?
- Or you may want to simply recycle it, perhaps it’s old and worn / battered.
Again, we can help with this too. We can usually restore a device back to factory setting, erasing any data that is on the device. If the device isn’t functioning, we can identify the component that holds any Personal Information and destroy it, meaning you can safely recycle the device without fear that your data may end up in the wrong hands.
We also work with a charity called Computers for Kids, who recycle and donate any device that a child can utilise to learn remotely. This also helps to close the digital divide and gives these children equal opportunities as the rest of society and helps to improve equality.
So don’t put your old device in the back of a cupboard to gather dust, bring it along to us and we will make sure that, if it can, it gets put to good use. Please remember to bring along the power supply too.
The Computer/IT Help at the Spire Café (rear of St. John’s Church, Burgess Hill) continues every Thursday 10.00-13.00.
And don’t forget the A,B,C of SCAMS – Assume nothing , Believe nobody and Check everything
If you believe that you have become a victim of an online scam and would like some help, contact Victim Support by visiting victimsupport.org.uk
Article by Liam Dasey. Liam is one of our volunteer Digital Champions, but he is also a volunteer Digital Ambassador for West Sussex County Council and Get Safe Online, helping raise awareness about online safety in the community.
