Does your computer have a case of the Monday's? There are many reasons that your system may be running slow. Oftentimes, it's because you have too many programs running at once. Let's try a few different solutions before calling over an I.T. expert.

1. Close out of the web browsers or applications that you're not currently using. Having open too many windows can overwork your system and cause it to perform slower than normal.

2. Check for software updates. Everyone is guilty of not installing a new software update, but computers are just like us! They need a cup of coffee in the morning to continue running at optimal speed. Be sure to check your system for any important software updates.

3. Restart your computer. Sometimes our computers just need a quick refresh! Simply restart or "reboot" your system to help improve device speed. 

If your computer is still struggling to keep up, please contact an I.T. expert to help troubleshoot this issue.

The rumors are true - NEVER use a public internet connection! Whether you're surfing the internet on your personal cell phone or returning emails on a company owned device, connecting to a public WiFi connection is risky business. While public internet connections are free and convenient, these networks are NOT secure and can easily be accessed by hackers.

If you are traveling for business, please visit our I.T. department prior to departure. Our cyber experts will give you a WiFi jetpack (no, it does not fly) to take with you while traveling. This device will allow you to connect to a secure and private network so you can remain cyber secure while on the go!

No, these are not delicious baked goods! Internet cookies are tiny packets of information exchanged between your computer and the websites you visit. For example, a shopping website may ask you to "accept cookies" prior to visiting their site. This means the website is asking permission to track your web activity while surfing, but this is how a website can save your shopping cart or provide product recommendations.

"The cloud" or cloud computing refers to the data services that run over the internet, instead of your local computer. For example, cloud services is the reason you can access files on not just one, but all your devices! Technically speaking, the cloud is a network of servers around the world that allows you to access software and services from virtually anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.

Many services you use on a daily basis include cloud computing including Netflix, Microsoft 365 and even Facebook!

A strong password is one that is difficult for hackers or machines to guess, but easy for you to remember. Strong passwords can be created by implementing the following characteristics:

• At least 8 characters long - the more characters, the better.
• A mixture of both uppercase and lowercase letters.
• A mixture of letters and numbers.
• Inclusion of at least one special character, e.g., ! @ # ? ]. Note: do not use < or > in your password, as both can cause problems in Web browsers.

Source: https://its.lafayette.edu.