Reminder: Saving all documents to the cloud instead of your computer can be a lifesaver, especially if you are having an issue with your CSUMB computer and the computer needs to be swapped out.
Here are some tips on making the most of your new computer:
Setting Up Your Computer:
- Unbox/unpack the new computer from its packaging and set it up by following the step-by-step instructions provided by the manufacturer (usually on a fold-out poster or in a thin booklet).
- While setting up your new computer you are usually asked to create an account with Microsoft or Apple. Do not to use your CSUMB email account as the recovery email for this account. If you leave CSUMB, you may not have access to your csumb.edu email account and this can cause issues with your account recovery should you need to do this.
- When setting up your computer- create a strong password that contains a phrase you will remember. Be sure to use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Do not use date of birth, social security numbers, the word password, 1234 or other easy to guess passwords.
- When possible use a separate login from your administrator username/password for the day-to-day operations of your computer.
Maintaining Your Computer & Software:
- Always keep your operating system updated as well as your applications.
- Keep your machine protected by using anti-virus software and keep that software up-to-date. The campus uses Sophos and you can get it free from the Free/Discounted software page.
- Speaking of free software, you can also get a lot of cool Free & Discounted Software for your computer from CSUMB.
Good Practices:
- It's helpful to use a separate profile in your web browser to keep your school accounts and personal accounts separate. This is especially true if you use your own personal gmail account in addition to your csumb.edu account. This can be done using incognito or private browsing sessions, separate profiles or even different web browsers. Experiment to figure out what works best for you.
- It's good to let the battery on your laptop, drain. Do not keep it plugged it constantly or you risk reducing your battery's lifespan.
- Get into the habit of backing up your files. This simple habit can save you a lot of heartache, time and possibly even money in the future. Back up all critical files such as important documents, photos, etc by saving them somewhere else. A good place to store them is in your Google drive account because your files will be available anytime/anywhere. You can also use thumb drives or cloud-based services to back up your files. Do this for yourself because paying someone to restore lost files is costly and the results are not always guaranteed.
- When your screen needs to be cleaned do not use window cleaner on your screen. Instead use lens wipes or screen cleaners specifically made for electronics.
- Laptops and tablets are high theft items because of their portability. Do not leave them unattended in public places such as the library or a cafe. Do not leave them in plain view on the seats of your vehicle. If living in an apartment or dorm its always a good idea to have the ability to lock the computer to a desk with a lock-down kit. If that isn't feasible at least keep them in a drawer and out of sight when not in use.
If you have technology questions you can call 831-582-4357 or email help@csumb.edu