Computer threats in Winter months ahead!
Something quite a lot of us don’t think about is how the seasons effect our PC’s. In fact, both temperature and the condition of your computer can have a large impact on the ongoing health of your computer. How so?
The first thing people tend to do when it’s cold is turn up the heat. Those cosy portable heaters that plug under the desk and warm up your feet? They’re fantastic! But they also tend to drain quite a lot of electricity. Since they’re so portable, they also often get plugged into the closest powerboard we can find, and this is usually the same one we have our computers plugged into.
What does this all mean for our computer? Well, you could overdraw the powerboard and have it flick off in the middle of your work. You could lose what you’re working on, but it could also corrupt files your computer needs. This might mean a visit to your local computer shop, and a bit of an inconvenience.
Worse than this is the possibility that your computer shorts out. This is less due to power draw, and more about temperature. As computers warm up, the electrical circuits become less efficient and controlled. In older, dustier computers, the dust contributes to the computer getting warmer, and also acts as a conductor. This means your computer is at a higher risk of shorting out.
Thunderstorms in winter are another known threat to our computers. All it takes is a windy day or a storm to create a surge that goes up your powerlines or your phone line. Sometimes, if your house has an in-line surge protector, you’re OK. Typically though, these don’t cover your phone line. If you get a surge travelling up the phone line, your network devices and your computer are unprotected and vulnerable to shorting out. If you haven’t got a surge protector that gives you phone-line surge protection, it might be worth investing in one before winter truly sets in.
This winter, be conscious of plugging in electrical devices into powerboards that don’t have your computer attached. If your computer is a little old, consider getting a good dusting out by your local computer professionals before it starts acting as your heater. And if you don’t have a surge protector that covers both power and phone lines, go out and get one.
As always, if you need more advice, don’t hesitate to contact your local IT professional.