RD3 Tech

Spot phishing emails and avoid online scams

Check sender addresses carefully, look for spelling mistakes or unusual urgency,
and never click suspicious links. Scammers often pretend to be banks, government
agencies or well-known companies.

When in doubt, contact the organisation using a phone number or website you
already know is genuine, not one supplied in the message.

Never install software or remote-access tools just because someone on the phone
or in a message asks you to. If something feels wrong, stop and check with a
trusted person or a technician.

Run regular malware and virus scans

Even careful users can encounter malware. Keep a reputable antivirus or security
package installed and run scans regularly. Update the scanner itself so it can
recognise the latest threats.

Watch for common malware types

Worms spread by copying themselves across systems and can open back doors or
steal data. Trojan horses disguise themselves as legitimate files or programs
until it is too late. Ransomware encrypts your files and demands payment.

If you suspect ransomware: do not pay. Disconnect the computer from the network
and internet immediately so it cannot spread. Speak to a professional who can
identify the strain.

Some ransomware can be reversed; in many cases the safest path is to wipe the
machine and restore from a clean backup. The best protection is a recent backup
stored offline or in the cloud.

Be careful when sharing files and photos

Think before you send personal documents or images. Use secure platforms and
avoid posting sensitive material publicly. Once something is online it can be
difficult to control.

Halloween reminder (and every other day)

Do not click unknown links or attachments. Keep antivirus and system updates
current. Back up your data before problems appear.

Advice first shared around Halloween 2023 and 2025.

Use a strong, unique passphrase

A long passphrase made of several unrelated words is far harder to guess than
a short password or anything based on birthdays, names or common words. Aim for
length and uniqueness rather than complex symbols that are hard to remember.

Use a password manager

A password manager stores your passwords securely in one place and can generate
strong unique passwords for every site. It makes logging in faster and removes
the temptation to reuse the same password everywhere.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds a second step when you log in — usually a code
from an authenticator app or a text message.

Even if someone obtains your password, they still cannot get into the account
without the second factor. Turn it on for email, banking, cloud storage and any
other important accounts.

Back up important files regularly

Devices fail, get lost, or become infected. Keep regular backups of photos,
documents and other important files. Options include cloud storage such as
OneDrive or Google Drive, or an external hard drive.

Automated backups are ideal because they work even when you forget.

Set the schedule according to how often your data changes — daily or weekly
for active work, less frequently for mainly archival material.

Store at least one copy offline or in a different location so ransomware or a
house fire cannot destroy everything at once.

Set up automatic backups

Once automatic backups are configured, your files are protected without daily
effort. Check occasionally that the backups are actually completing and that
you can restore a test file.

Use a strong Wi-Fi password and a guest network

A weak or default router password lets outsiders onto your network. Choose a
long, strong password and change the default admin login for the router itself.

Create a separate guest network for visitors so they can use the internet
without gaining access to your computers, printers or other devices.

Check Wi-Fi speed and router placement

Wi-Fi performance drops when the router is hidden in a cupboard, placed on the
floor, or blocked by thick walls and appliances.

Place the router in a central, elevated location away from large metal objects
and cordless phones.

Test speeds in the rooms you actually use and adjust placement or consider a
mesh system if coverage is poor.

Keep your computer clean

Dust and coastal sand build up inside computers and around keyboards, mice and
monitors. Excess dust causes overheating and can shorten component life.

Wipe surfaces with a microfibre cloth. Always spray cleaning solution onto the
cloth first — never directly onto the equipment.

For deeper cleaning inside a desktop case, a professional vacuum and clean is
worthwhile, especially if the machine has been running hot or noisy.

Use a surge protector

Power spikes can damage computers, monitors and other electronics instantly.
A good surge protector absorbs excess voltage and gives your equipment a better
chance of surviving storms or electrical faults.

Organise your desktop and files

A cluttered desktop slows you down and makes files harder to find. Group related
documents into folders, remove shortcuts you no longer need, and keep the
desktop for items you are actively working on.

Delete unused apps and programs

Old programs take up space, can slow the system, and sometimes introduce
security risks. Uninstall software you no longer use.

On phones and tablets, remove apps that have not been opened for months.

Remove unnecessary browser extensions

Extensions can be useful, but too many slow the browser and some collect data
or introduce vulnerabilities. Keep only the extensions you actively need and
remove the rest.

Clear the browser cache occasionally

Browsers store temporary files that can accumulate and slow page loading or
cause display problems. Clearing the cache is a quick way to free space and
resolve many odd website issues.

Keep software and apps up to date

Updates fix security holes, correct bugs and sometimes improve performance.
Ignoring updates leaves devices more vulnerable.

Enable automatic updates where practical for the operating system, office
programs, browsers and antivirus software.

Enable automatic updates on Windows or Mac

Turning on automatic updates means the system receives security patches without
you having to remember.

Check periodically that updates are not stuck and that the machine has enough
free disk space to install them.

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU)

Microsoft has extended security updates for Windows 10 consumers through
12 October 2027 under the ESU programme. ESU provides critical and important
security updates only — not new features, general bug fixes or free Microsoft
support.

This is useful if your PC cannot run Windows 11 or you need more time before
replacing hardware. It is still a temporary solution.

Moving to Windows 11, or a new computer that supports it, remains the better
long-term path. RD3 Tech can check compatibility, discuss upgrade options and
explain the most cost-effective route for your situation.

Information current as of mid-2026.

Older Windows versions

Windows 7 and Windows 8 reached the end of their support cycles several years
ago and no longer receive security updates from Microsoft. Machines still
running these operating systems should be upgraded or replaced for security
reasons.

Organise your email inbox

Use folders, labels and filters so important messages are easy to find and
routine mail is sorted automatically. A tidy inbox reduces stress and saves
time.

Learn a few keyboard shortcuts

Simple shortcuts for copy, paste, switching windows or tabs, and basic
navigation save minutes every day. Once they become habit you will wonder
how you managed without them.

Use cloud collaboration tools

Sharing documents in Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive lets several people
work on the same file in real time.

This reduces the confusion of emailing versions back and forth and keeps
everyone looking at the current copy.

Check battery health

Laptop and phone batteries lose capacity over time. Monitoring battery health
helps you know when a replacement is due and avoids unexpected shutdowns.
Most modern devices show battery health information in their settings.

Turn on device encryption

Encryption scrambles the data on a laptop or phone so it cannot be read
without the correct password or PIN.

If the device is lost or stolen, encryption greatly reduces the risk of
someone accessing your files. Enable it on any device that carries personal
or business information.

Set up parental controls

Parental controls can limit inappropriate content, manage screen time and
control which apps children can use. They help young people enjoy technology
while giving parents clearer boundaries and peace of mind.

Before you sell, give away or recycle a computer

Back up any data you want to keep. Then remove or securely wipe the hard drive
or SSD — old drives often still contain personal information even after a
normal deletion.

Returning a machine to factory settings after a proper wipe is the safest
approach for most users.

RD3 Tech can perform secure data removal, transfer files to a new computer or
external drive, and arrange responsible recycling.

Recycle electronics responsibly

Old devices contain both personal data and materials that should not go into
ordinary landfill. Wipe data first, then use a proper e-waste recycling route.
This protects your information and reduces environmental harm.

Old hard drives still have value

Hard drives removed from old computers can often be fitted into external
enclosures. This lets you recover old photos and documents for archiving and
gives the drive a second life as portable storage.

Understanding the main parts of a computer

A few basic terms help when discussing upgrades or problems:

• CPU (Central Processing Unit) — the “brain” that
  carries out instructions.
• RAM (Random Access Memory) — short-term working memory;
  more RAM usually means better multitasking.
• SSD (Solid State Drive) — fast long-term storage.
  Much quicker than a traditional hard drive for everyday use.
• Hard drive (HDD) — traditional spinning long-term
  storage, often used for bulk capacity.
• Motherboard — the main board that connects all the
  other components.
• Power supply — converts mains electricity for the
  computer. Never open a power supply yourself; it can hold dangerous
  charges even when unplugged.
• Graphics card — handles display output and is especially
  important for gaming or creative work.
• Cooling (fans, heat sinks, liquid coolers) — keeps
  components at safe temperatures.

Knowing these terms makes conversations with a technician clearer and helps
you understand upgrade recommendations.

When technology is not cooperating

Many everyday problems — slow performance, unreliable Wi-Fi, email
configuration, printer setup, data transfers, Microsoft 365 or Google
Workspace issues — can be resolved with straightforward diagnosis and
configuration.

If a problem persists or you are unsure, professional help is usually faster
and safer than repeated trial-and-error.