Certain technologies out there make you ask questions. For example, have you ever wondered why you need to restart your computer other than “because IT says to?” What about that task manager? What’s that for, anyway? We’re here to help you answer some questions about your business technology and why it’s important to keep them in mind during the workday.

What Does Restarting the Computer Do?
Sometimes it might seem like restarting your computer is counterproductive. After all, it might have to install updates, and it might take forever for this to happen. It’s beneficial in the long run to restart your computer every so often so that updates can be installed at the end of the workday rather than when you’re forced to restart it because your device is showing signs of operational deficiency. After all, your device is a machine that needs to be restarted every so often so it can “rest” a bit. This ensures that it’s not getting overworked, giving it more opportunity to last longer.

What Does the Task Manager Do?
This one is simple: it manages tasks. No, but seriously, sometimes your computer will lock up because there’s too much going on at once. You might notice an application that freezes from time-to-time, requiring a restart, creating more wasted time. The task manager gives you the chance to nip the problem in the bud without the restart, showing you a list of all active applications and how involved the computer is in keeping it running. You can see how your resources are being allocated and respond to issues before they become too big to resolve with more than a simple Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

Why Do Passwords Need to Be Changed?
It makes sense to think about a password as something you only change when it’s discovered, but industry professionals find a major problem with this logic. After all, you don’t always know when a password has been stolen. Sometimes passwords could be stolen in large quantities and sold on the black market for a considerable sum, granting access to your accounts and services to hackers who don’t have good intentions. No, the best way to protect your business from these scenarios is to change them periodically to ensure that any stolen passwords are useless to whoever buys them.

How Do Drivers Affect Your Work?
How many additional pieces of hardware does your computer need in order to function as it needs? We’re talking about devices like a USB mouse or a wireless keyboard. Some external devices require that you install a driver, or a little piece of software, to ensure compatibility with the new device. These drivers need to be updated periodically to make sure they are compatible with your system. If they are ignored, they can also create security issues for your business.

What are some tips that you want to share with us? Let us know in the comments.