If you’ve had your phone for a few years, you’re probably starting to see signs that it might be time for an upgrade.

The battery is probably running out much more quickly and you might find your fun running much slower than before.

There are some things you can do if you’re not quite ready to change up your phone:

• Delete apps you don’t use- this will free up vital space on your phone and help speed things up a bit.
• Update your operating system.
• Get rid of live wallpaper- it might look cool but it’s seriously eating into your phone's memory and battery life.
• Remove apps you no longer use.
• If you have an iPhone, turn off Siri. Although Siri’s suggestions can be quite handy it also slows down iPhones, especially older ones.
• Restart your phone- this clears the memory and can fix glitchy apps.
• Clear the cache.

If the above doesn’t help improve the performance of your phone as a last resort you can try a factory reset. Be warned this does wipe everything from your phone so you need to back up all your important data before you perform the reset!

Upgrade Your Smartphone?
If you’ve decided to splash out on a new phone, we highly recommend doing your research first. Check out this handy guide form Which? It covers everything to help you make the best choice for your budget.
 
In the past, when it came to upgrading your mobile phone there had often been significant improvements in technology that made it tempting to buy a brand-new handset or sign up to a contract to get hold of the latest model. But advancements in smartphones have slowed making the hefty price tag that comes with buying a new model much less enticing. Why would you want to spend £1000 on a new handset that doesn’t offer much more than your current model?
 
So, if you want an upgrade but you can’t justify buying a new model what options do you have?

Refurbished or Second-Hand Smartphone?
If you have decided not to get a brand-new phone or contract, then you’re probably looking at getting a refurbished or second-hand phone, but which option is best for you? A refurbished phone will have been checked over by professionals to ensure you are getting a phone in good working order and condition.
 
If you opt for second hand you are taking a bit more of a risk. The warranty will likely have expired and depending on the age of the phone you may not be able to update the operating system to the latest version. Check the phone doesn’t have any accessories missing and that there is no damage to the charging port. Be aware of scams, especially if you are buying on a site such as Facebook Marketplace. If you are in any doubt, walk away.
 
If you are at all unsure about any of the above procedures or want help choosing a new phone, we highly recommend getting in touch with a File Genie for unbiased advice and support.

With the lifting of restrictions and the possibility of sun, many of us have and will be taking a well earned break. But what do you do with all your devices while you’re away from home?

Some of them like our smartphones and tablets come along with us (can’t possibly stay away from Insta for a week) while laptops, PC’s etc will most likely be staying put.

Home insurance and/or travel insurance will cover most cases of theft or accidental damage (be sure to check your policy) but it's still a good practice to take a few simple steps to make sure your devices are as safe as they can be.
 
File Genie have put a handy list together to help you get prepared before you set off on holiday:

• Backup your devices! It’s so simple and it should be something you do regularly anyway but let's be honest, it’s easy to forget. Make it a priority to get everything backed up before you leave. Accidents happen and it’s easy to lose all your important data with just the slip of a hand. Don't just back up to the cloud, consider having a backup to a separate hard drive.
• Update your software Again, a simple task that’s easily forgotten but can make a huge difference if anything goes wrong. Making sure you have up-to-date security software is paramount!
• Secure your devices Use a PIN, pattern lock or biometric authentication. Best practice would be to use a combination of biometric authentication and password/PIN. Don’t forget to add security authentication to your laptops and PC’s and please think carefully about any passwords you are using (check out this article on common password mistakes)
• Be wary of which WiFi you connect to. It's tempting to connect to any free WiFi when you’re away and save using up your valuable data allowance but really think carefully before connecting to unsecured public wifi. There’s a huge risk that your devices could be hacked, sensitive data stolen or get infected with malware.
• Be careful what you share on social media You might think you’re just making your friends envious with your beach photos but if you make it public you’re away from home any thieves will be able to take advantage of your absence. Now is a great time to check who sees your posts and consider making it private to friends only so you know only those you trust can see where you are. Check out this great list from Nottinghamshire police on what steps you should take to help deter any would be thieves.

If you follow these steps you can enjoy your holiday knowing your devices are as safe as they can be. Enjoy your holiday or mini break away!
 
We are here for full advice and support whether updating your software and backing up your devices or if you think your device is not operating correctly. Get in touch and find out more about our Health Check.

Cyber fraud is a growing problem that we’re all well aware of. Scam emails and texts are increasingly common with more and more of us being targeted by fraudsters. The Covid 19 pandemic has seen an increase in these types of cyber crimes, last month the BBC reported that £34.5 million had been stolen in pandemic scams with more than 6000 cases of covid-related fraud and cyber crime being recorded throughout the pandemic.
 
Two recent scams reported in the media are the Amazon Parcel Delivery and Royal Mail Parcel returned to depot. Typical of phishing scams, the email or text has a link which takes you to a scam site where you are asked for personal details and/or payment. Many people have been caught out by these scams because at first glance they do appear to be from the companies they’re claiming to be. Across social media people are sharing their stories of how they have fallen victim to scams such as the ‘missed delivery’ text.

If you receive a suspicious text or email:

• Do not click the link unless you are sure or the origin of the text.
• Check Royal Mail for recent scams here
• Royal Mail will always leave a card if you miss an attempted delivery
• Report suspicious messages to Action Fraud
• Which have some great tips for spotting scam texts and emails

 
What to do if you fall victim to a phishing scam:

• Contact your bank as soon as you realise.
• Get your devices checked over by a professional.
• File Genie can identify viruses and malware and get your devices cleaned, safe and up and running for you.

 
Keep your devices safe:

• Make sure you install and update anti virus software - don’t forget your smartphone and tablets!
• Make sure your antivirus is turned on - sounds obvious but it’s easily forgotten about
• Ensure your operating system is up to date
• Suspicious email or text? Delete it! If it’s important the sender will find another way to contact you.

 
For more information about how you can protect your computers and devices and keep them running smoothly, contact File Genie.