April 1, 2025Review Your Backup Strategy
In honor of World Backup Day (March 31), I recommend you review your backup strategy. And I'm not just referring to your computer. It's time to check every digital device you own and make sure you're backing up your data reliably.
For example, you might have an effective backup strategy for your home computer, but are you sure your smartphone and tablet are getting backed up automatically? What about your smartwatch? If your devices aren't syncing in the cloud, you might permanently lose data such as contacts, messages, photos, and videos if you lose or damage your device.
2025
| March | Be Careful What You Screen Share |
| February | Call Twice to Bypass Do Not Disturb |
| January | Update Your Passwords |
2024
| December | Leave Your Phone Behind |
| November | Pack USB Adapters When You Travel |
| October | Use Dictation on Your PC |
| September | Don't Share PII with LLMs |
| August | Monitor Your Screen Time |
| July | Compress Your Backups to Save Disk Space |
| June | Don't Use an Ad Blocker |
| May | Use Your Phone to Charge Your Devices |
| April | Empty Your Trash or Recycle Bin (Automatically) |
| March | Customize Your Workspace Lighting |
| February | Hold Your Phone with Each Hand |
| January | Check Your Spam Folder Once a Month |
2023
| December | Try a Smart Doorbell |
| November | Use a Silent Mode Backup |
| October | Know the Difference Between Bytes and Bits |
| September | Check Your Internet Speed |
| August | Regularly Restart Your Computer |
| July | Scan Your Documents and Receipts |
| June | Try a Hard Mouse Mat |
| May | Use a Mouse Wrist Rest |
| April | Use an External Microphone |
| March | Give Your Speakers Time to Break In |
| February | Search to Open an App |
| January | Choose an SSD instead of an HDD |
2022
| December | Wait to Enter Your Email Address |
| November | Cancel Your Subscription Immediately |
| October | Email Files as Compressed Archives |
| September | Clean Out Your Downloads Folder |
| August | Perfect Punctuation is Not Necessary |
| July | Clean Out Your PC |
| June | Choose the Best Video Orientation |
| May | Take Digital Call Logs |
| April | Choose a Good Email Subject |
| March | Turn Off Your Smartphone Camera |
| February | Remove Tracking Parameters from URLs |
| January | Exercise More at Work |
2021
| December | Turn Off "Do Not Track" |
| November | Reduce Screen Glare |
| October | Lower Your Hands for Correct Typing Posture |
| September | Test Your Audio Before the Call |
| August | Use Multiple Browsers |
| July | Block Spam Calls on Your Smartphone |
| June | Wash Your Hands Before You Type |
| May | Fix Bright Spots on a Flatscreen Display |
| April | Wait to Upgrade (Your Hardware) |
| March | Use Your Smart TV Apps |
| February | Organize Your Photos Monthly |
| January | Use Online and Offline Backups |
2020
| December | Try Third-Party Peripherals |
| November | Change Your Scenery |
| October | Use a Power Conditioner |
| September | Select Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts |
| August | Verify Secure Websites |
| July | Begin Emails with a Name |
| June | Send Text Messages From Your Computer |
| May | Top 10 Tips for Better Video Conferencing |
| April | Add a New Line in a Message |
| March | Don't Skimp on Your Internet Connection |
| February | Try HiDPI |
| January | Perform Monthly File Maintenance |
2019
| December | Detect Fake Emails |
| November | Use LED Lighting |
| October | Use a Generic Name for Your Home Network |
| September | Keep Your Workspace Active |
| August | Drive Handsfree |
| July | The #1 Tip for Choosing Good Speakers |
| June | Monitor Your Energy Usage |
| May | Use Multiple Chairs |
| April | Don't Pay the Ransom |
| March | Store Your Receipts Electronically |
| February | Learn How to Type Faster |
| January | Free Trial? Mark It On Your Calendar |
2018
| December | Try Dark Mode |
| November | Don't Upgrade |
| October | Clean Your (Physical) Desktop |
| September | Remember to Reload |
| August | Schedule a Monthly Recharge |
| July | Use Your Function Keys |
| June | Take a Social Media Hiatus |
| May | Use Secure Email |
| April | Don't Keep All Your Photos |
| March | Make Use of Travel Lock |
| February | Manage Your Cables |
| January | Back Up Your Backup |
2017
| December | Navigate With Your Keyboard |
| November | Keep Your Files Organized |
| October | Record Call Logs |
| September | How To Use Cellular Data Internationally |
| August | Protect Your Ears |
| July | Let Electronics Dry Before Using Them |
| June | Remember to Set Reminders |
| May | Limit Your Fonts and Colors |
| April | How To Quickly Select a Web Address |
| March | Remember to Right Click |
| February | Set Your Audio Output Level Correctly |
| January | Don't Change Your Password |
2016
| December | Use Speech Recognition |
| November | Don't Drop Your Phone |
| October | Try a Laser Printer |
| September | Get Rid of Audio Noise |
| August | Use Your Lighting Wisely |
| July | Keep Your Phone Cool |
| June | Forget That Network |
| May | Consolidate Your Questions |
| April | Format Email Addresses Correctly |
| March | Let Ink Dry Before Scanning |
| February | Don't Email Passwords |
| January | Get Organized (Electronically) |
2015
| December | Bank Electronically |
| November | Don't Skimp When Buying A Computer |
| October | Charge Consistently |
| September | Use Surge Protection |
| August | Don't Drive Distracted |
| July | Restart Your Voicemail Message |
| June | Text Using Two Hands |
| May | Try a New Keyboard |
| April | Go Paperless |
| March | Take Screenshots for Reference |
| February | Read Your Email Before Sending It |
| January | Back Up Your Data Online |
2014
| December | Put Your Phone Away |
| November | Use Two Mice |
| October | Double-Check Your Email Address |
| September | Check Your Sources |
| August | Taking Photos? Look Behind You |
| July | Traveling? Bring an Ethernet Cable |
| June | Think Before You Share |
| May | Clean Your Camera Lens |
| April | Know the Difference Between Login and Log In |
| March | Don't Share Your Password (With Anyone) |
| February | Don't Get Scammed |
| January | Navigate Your Computer With Your Keyboard |
2013
| December | Find the Best Wi-Fi Connection |
| November | Don't Just Sit There |
| October | Secure Your Wi-Fi Network |
| September | Record Video in Landscape Mode |
| August | Copy Form Data Before Submitting It |
| July | Use Multiple Monitors |
| June | Rest Your Wrists |
| May | Let Your Smartphone Sleep |
| April | Think Before You Post |
| March | Use Quotes in Your Search Queries |
| February | Clean Your Screen |
| January | Include Your Name in Your Email Address |
2012
| December | Post Proper Pictures on Facebook |
| November | Take a Mini Break |
| October | Wait to Upgrade |
| September | Use a Cell Phone Headset |
| August | Don't Spill Your Drink |
| July | Pack Extra Power When You Travel |
| June | Extend Your Battery Life |
| May | Add More Memory |
| April | Video Conference Professionally |
| March | Clean Up Your Desktop |
| February | Check Your Backup |
| January | Choose the Right Printer Paper |
2011
| December | Record Better Videos |
| November | Learn Your Keyboard Shortcuts |
| October | Find Content within a Webpage |
| September | Clean Your Computer |
| August | Organize Your Files by Date |
| July | Take Fewer Pictures |
| June | Take Better Pictures |
| May | Forward Email Properly |
| April | Lower Your Display Brightness |
| March | Let Your Computer Sleep |
| February | Back Up Your Power Supply |
| January | Back Up Your Data |
2010
| December | Manage Multiple Logins |
| November | Improve Your Posture |
