10 Misconceptions People Have About Computers

 

Nowadays, computers are more than just something we use on a daily basis; they are an essential component of our lives. Sadly, despite their widespread presence in our society, not everyone fully comprehends them. There are a lot of misconceptions about computers and how to guard against malicious individuals targeting their systems.

10. Password Length And Complexity

One of the most enduring pieces of computer-related wisdom is to create a password that is as long, intricate, and obscure as you can. Consequently, extremely guessable passwords like "password" are becoming less common. However, this does not imply that individuals have heeded the warning. Some individuals create passwords that are so lengthy that they are difficult to remember, so they write them down somewhere. Because of this, it is very simple for someone else to enter. Additionally, a lot of people select passwords that are associated with something they enjoy, making it simple for someone who knows them to guess.

 Your password shouldn't be hard to guess, but it doesn't have to be very complicated. The most important thing is not to reuse it on multiple websites. Many people have decided to use the same password everywhere because there are so many different websites to log into and passwords to remember. The issue is that if a hacker is successful in breaking into a website and stealing its database, they will now be able to use your password on multiple websites. The best thing you can do is keep your passwords in your head, make them simple but easy to remember, and use different ones for different websites.

9. The Blue Screen Of Death

When they experience a blue screen of death, a lot of people think that their computer is about to die forever or that they have a virus. However, while blue screens used to be a sign of much more serious issues, they now rarely result in fatal errors and rarely involve viruses.

 A blue screen almost always occurs when a problem with a new program or driver update caused the computer to shut down to prevent damage. Blue screen errors are now much less of a concern in recent Windows versions because they are handled much more effectively. Naturally, it may still occasionally be a serious hardware issue, but you won't have a virus. The most effective course of action is to enter the error message into Google and proceed there.

 These days, most of the time, all you need to do to fix the problem is restore the system to a safe point (don't worry, if you backed up your files properly, it won't affect them). If that doesn't work, uninstall any programs you've just installed because they could be to blame.

8. Random Access Memory

The term "memory" is frequently used to refer to RAM, or random access memory. As a result, many people believe that they require more RAM when they run out of space. However, the hard drive is a long-term storage device, and its name does not include the word "memory," which can be misleading. Computer memory functions similarly to the human brain's memory. 

The human brain has both long-term storage, where we store our memories, and working memory, where you can carry on a conversation and perform mental arithmetic. In addition to using our working memory for these activities, we are able to access memories stored in deep storage. A computer operates in a similar way. Videos, pictures, and other files are the computer's long-term memories on the hard drive. 

Your RAM is your working memory and is responsible for performing immediate tasks like running Facebook, playing Candy Crush, and loading email while Skype chatting. When you try to complete all of these tasks, if your computer starts to run slowly, you probably need more RAM. You need a larger hard drive if you find that you don't have enough space for all of your files.

7. Slow Computer

Viruses are almost always the cause of a computer's slowdown. There are only a few viruses that use up RAM in the background, but you'll notice it quickly. Computers slow down over time for a variety of reasons, the majority of which have nothing to do with viruses. Computers age, just like everything else. This could be one issue. 

Although your computer was beautiful when you first bought it, the system's constant demands make it harder to keep running. Additionally, the more time you spend using your computer, the more programs you are likely to have downloaded, draining your RAM. When hard drives start to fail, computers may also slow down, and nothing short of replacing them will fix that. Internet connections can sometimes become sluggish as a result of Flash or out-of-date browsers. 

Don't go to the virus scanner if your computer is getting slower. Make sure that all of your software is up to date, stop unnecessary programs from running in the background, and check the health of your hardware. The issue might be a virus if everything goes according to plan, but there is still a good chance that it is something else.

6. Smartphone Viruses

Although smartphones are essentially computers, many people do not really consider them to be that. Sadly, malicious individuals are now targeting smartphones in the same manner as computers. In 2011, a virus infected a third-party application used to send messages from a user's phone, costing the user money but making a substantial profit for the virus's creator. 

These successes have inspired viruses to begin invading the smartphone market. Typically, these viruses enter smartphones through application downloads from the app store. Although the open nature of Google's app store means that anyone can sell apps, it also means that there are a lot of untested third-party applications in the store. 

However, people may unintentionally expose themselves to malicious software because they may believe they are receiving something from a reputable source. In such a scenario, it is usually preferable to never download anything from an unreliable source and to verify the permissions that are required by applications. Don't give in to their requests for permissions if you don't understand them.

5. Laptop Fires

For fear that it will catch fire, many people believe that you shouldn't leave a laptop running for too long or place it on a flammable surface like a bed or rug. However, there is no evidence that that has ever taken place. A flaw in the wiring, for example, is to blame for the rare laptop fires that do occur. 

Even better ventilation and fail-safes are included in more recent laptops to prevent any kind of overheating. If your computer constantly overheats, it probably means that the hardware is broken, that you are using it beyond its normal capabilities, or that the design is really bad. Laptop burn is a much more real threat than laptops pose. 

Contrary to the name of the device, many people sit with their laptops directly on their laps. Within a few days of moderate use, hot laptops have severely burned clothing. If you have to use a laptop on your lap, take it off if it gets too hot and put it on another surface.

4. Bottlenecking

Many people believe that if their computer starts to fail, they can simply replace the failing component. However, compatibility issues make upgrading significantly more challenging due to rapid technological advancements. 

For instance, a person might discover that their processor is failing, but there is no longer a manufacturer of processors that are compatible with that particular motherboard, so they now have to replace that as well. They might as well build a new system because some of the older components won't work with the new board once the motherboard has been replaced. 

The term for this is "bottlenecking." “Your system will eventually experience bottlenecks, even if you upgrade without encountering any compatibility issues. Your computer is only as good as its weakest link, to some extent. For instance, if you decide that your video card needs to be upgraded but your processor is too weak, it won't be noticeable.

3. Hacking And Cracking

Hackers are always blamed whenever a website is hacked, an important account is hacked, or a group steals a lot of login information. However, there was a misinterpretation of what hacking entails that led to this. A person who is well-versed in computer security finds a flaw in the system and exploits it to gain access, typically via a backdoor, is committing hacking.

 On the other hand, cracking entails using a program written by someone else to sort of break down the virtual door, frequently by repeatedly attempting various password combinations. These are attacks known as "brute force." The media frequently refers to events as "hacking," despite the fact that nothing was hacked or cracked in any way, adding to the confusion.

2. Viruses And Spyware

One kind of malicious software is viruses, but there are many others with different names and ways of being spread. Spyware and adware, for example, are two distinct categories of programs that aim to steal your personal information or send you spam. Some malicious programs are made to hide from your anti-virus software and wait to be used on your computer without affecting its operation in any way that you can see. 

Even though the various security programs you use might help you deal with this, it's better to be safe than sorry. If you are aware of what you are up against, you will have a better chance of dealing with malware. In addition, keeping your anti-virus software up to date is not as simple as protecting yourself. Antivirus companies frequently lack up-to-date information on the most recent malware threats, and malicious individuals constantly seek ways to circumvent your security.

1. Malware From Email

Since the introduction of malware, there have been warnings about terrible viruses waiting for you in your email, but often these warnings are false alarms. This has fueled a wide range of absurd behaviors, such as deleting suspicious emails without reading them because people believe that opening them can spread a virus. Even though it is unquestionably true that you should never open an attachment in an email from a source you don't trust, you can't get a virus just by reading an email. 

However, there are other circumstances in which it may be much simpler than you might anticipate acquiring a virus or another type of malware. A drive-by download, for instance, could happen to you just by going to a questionable website. If you're lucky, you'll get a pop-up or another warning, but many drive-bys don't tell you they're there before installing malware. In light of this, it's a good idea to run a system scan on a regular basis just in case.