Clean your computer
Crumbs in your keyboard? It’s probably time to clean your PC.
CRUMBS, dust, spilled soft drinks – computers and their accessories have to endure quite a lot. Whether at home or at the office, the devices should be cleaned at least every now and again.
However, since you can do a lot of damage if you don’t properly clean your devices, it’s worth keeping a few things in mind.
“It is important that the computer is first disconnected from all power sources, devices and cables before cleaning, in particular wet cleaning,” says Kai Kallweit from the German IT association Bitkom. “And before reconnecting, you must allow enough time for drying.”
Hisadviceistoneverapply liquids directly and to make sure they don’t get into any openings – otherwise the warranty will be lost.
Solvents and scouring agents can also attack surfaces.
Keyboards are a place where dirt and germs accumulate over the years. They can even be a source of infection or skin irritation.
Andreas Hentschel, from Chip magazine, has an unusual tip: “The PC keyboard is best cleaned in the dishwasher.” Not the whole unit, of course – in most standard keyboards, it’s possible to remove the keys using a screwdriver.
“Every two years, I remove the CUTE puppies drowning in a river? Prince William and Kate Middleton heading towards a divorce? When headlines like these pop up on your social media feed, it’s wise to take a moment to reflect before liking or sharing them.
According to the German computer magazine c’t, users should suppress the impulse to click and spend at least a couple of minutes trying to verify the authenticity of the claims being made.
If you’ve never heard of the news source, take a moment to check if it actually exists. Look for the company registration details on the site.
A brand-new homepage could bearedflagforafakenewssite. You can find the date that the site was created at the following link: whois.domaintools.com. Users should also beware of satirical sites posing as real news outlets, such as World News Daily Report.
Has the message come directly from an individual or company? If the account has been verified by Facebook and Twitter, a blue badge with a white check mark should appear next to the name.
If the account has not been verified, take some time to scrutinise the profile. How many friends does the person have? What kind of friends? Does the user make an unusually large number of posts on a very specific theme, and is the account exclusively linked to similar accounts?
If so, you could be dealing with an Internet bot – a computer program keys, put them in the cutlery basket in the dishwasher and secure them there. Then rinse everything in the short programme, let them dry on a paper towel, then re-fit them again two to four hours later,” he says.
It helps to take a photo of the keyboard before taking the keys out. While the keys are removed, the frame can be wiped with a damp cloth and a mild detergent.
The mouse is also constantly in use,soitmakessensetogiveitan occasional clean.
“If the model is not complicated, a cleaning cloth and detergent are sufficient,” says Hentschel. Cleaning wipes can also get the job done. A toothpick can help get dirt out of cracks.
For older, tube-based computer monitors, a glass cleaner can be used, Hentschel says. “Spray on the glass cleaner, wipe it gently, then dry it with a kitchen towel.”
For flat-panel monitors, you should use a more gentle cleaner. But: “Do not put too much pressure on a TFT monitor. These must always be treated with care, otherwise something will be damaged.”
Connections such as HDMI, USB or LAN can be cleaned with a lot of caution and a small pointed object. “As a result of plugging in and unplugging, the dust is enormously compressed,” Hentschel says. running automated tasks, and duping you into believing it is a real human. A quick look at the person’s or company’s website, if it has been provided, could help to gauge the profile’s authenticity.
Facebook users can modify headlines and straplines to mislead users about the actual content of the news. Images and videos can also be posted completely out of context.
One tip: reverse-search for the image on Google or TinEye to find out where the exact file, or similar versions of it, appears online. Another alternative is to search for keywords on hoaxsearch.com, Once inside your computer, use a vacuum cleaner’s nozzle to carefully suck up dust. However, be sure not to move the cooling unit’s fan, as this could generate a charge that might damage the motherboard. — dpa
First loosen the dust, then remove it.
Cleaning the computer’s interior is also an option if you have the necessary technical skills. “If you chance it, you should open the device after three to four years, as a lot of dust accumulates over time and the cooling effect can be reduced,” Hentschel says.
You should electrically ground yourself before starting to open up the computer, for example by touching a metal object like a radiator.
Once inside the device, use a vacuum cleaner’s nozzle to carefully suck up dust, and be sure not to move the cooling unit’s fan, as this could generate a charge that might damage the motherboard.
If in doubt, it’s best to leave the job to an expert. — dpa a service provided by the not-forprofit Mimikama. The search will identify flagged phrases that have appeared on Twitter, WhatsApp or other social media channels.
So who spreads such misleading news? “These are conspiracy theorists or highly active radicalised groups, who want to push their political agenda,” according to c’t editor Jo Bager.
Others just want to profit from human intrigue and outrage: they are hedging their bets on some oblivious reader clicking on the fake news and landing on their website, where advertisements will bring them money. — dpa Want to really clean your keyboard? You can remove the keys and throw them into the dishwasher. Just be sure to take a picture of the assembled keyboard first so you can remember which order they go back in. — dpa