Summer Holiday Tech Tips to Protect Your Gadgets

If you feel indispensable to your company and you need to be in contact all the time, then the chances are you will want to take your work phone, tablet or pc on holiday with you. Unfortunately, combining sun, sea and sangria with our beloved gadgets can often cause a whole host of problems.

If you are sort of person who can’t bear to leave your emails unread whilst you’re away from the office, or just want to tell your workmates what a great time you’re having, then you need to read M2 Computing’s top tips on looking after your IT whilst away, especially if it belongs to your employer.

Saving your waterlogged smartphone

Going to the seaside? Sitting by the pool with a nice drink? Putting your smartphone in imminent danger of drowning is not a good idea. Fortunately, you can take some simple measures to protect it, such as a smartphone condom – a thermoplastic covering that protects from water, sand, and any other damaging things which get into the those little holes and crevices while on holiday. Or how about a waterproof case to keep your emails dry during the day? They come in various sizes so you can get them for your laptop and tablet.

But what happens if you drop your unprotected phone into the water? First thing, don’t panic. A simple trick is to take out the SIM and battery and place the phone in a bag of dry white rice overnight. The rice will absorb all the moisture and in most cases, leave your phone in perfect working order by the morning.

How to get sand out of your device

It’s easy to get sand in your phone or laptop if you take it to the beach. If this happens then the best thing to do is get yourself a can of compressed air. Remember that sand can be quite damaging, so if you use a cloth or something like a cotton bud to clean things out it is liable to cause scratches and other damage. A can of compressed air with blow that sand back onto the beach where it belongs without causing any damage to the hardware.

Keeping your gadgets safe from prying fingers

The other thing you need to worry about on holiday is keeping your smartphone and laptop safe. More things are stolen on holiday that at any time simply because thieves are on the lookout and we’re less attentive when enjoying ourselves. Try not to leave your gadget lying about and make sure you have a proper password strategy in place so that if someone does get hold of your pc or smartphone they can’t get your personal details so easily.

Protecting your data online

Changes in European rules are making it easier for us to access the internet abroad. Finding a Wi-Fi hotspot is convenient but you also need to be aware that it raises security issues and makes you more vulnerable to hacking.

It’s always a good idea to talk to your IT provider if you are going to be making sensitive transactions or sending messages whilst on holiday. They will be able to recommend something like a SSL or VPN connection that will protect both you and your company. If you are using a Wi-Fi hotspot then try to avoid making transactions with your bank on your pc, instead opt for their mobile app which will be more protected.

The purpose of a holiday is to relax and have a good time. In this day and age, many of us have to keep in contact with work in case an emergency comes up. But of course, keeping your gadgets safe whilst away from home is something we should all be concerned about, whether we need to keep in touch with the boss or not.

And just a little preparation and thought can help prevent any big dramas spoiling your holiday.