Do you leave your home computer on when you’re done using it? If so, you might be exposing yourself to some unsavory digital visitors. You might also be paying a hefty electricity bill each month! Shutting off your computer and other equipment after each use, and even unplugging it, can protect your identity and lower your electric bill.
If you’re like most people, you probably keep your home computer on and plugged in 24/7. However, did you know that if you just put it to sleep, your computer is still connected to your home network and using electricity? As long as your computer is on, it’s open to a hacker who could be snooping around. Leaving the computer on also means your entire home network is vulnerable.
In addition, your computer still pulls some electricity from the outlet, as long as it is plugged in. As a matter of fact, any electrical appliance that’s plugged in to the wall, even if it’s shut off, still pulls electricity. This means that you’re actually paying for the plugged-in things in your house each month when you think they’re turned off. Unless you own a power company, electricity isn’t cheap, right? So give yourself a few bucks back, and unplug the things you’re not using.
The US Department of Energy even recommends putting other computer equipment, such as printers, on a power strip, switching off the power strip, and then unplugging the power strip after each use.
Here are some other tips to protect yourself and lower your monthly electric bill:
- If you have a DSL or cable connection, you have a modem that’s plugged into an electrical outlet. Unplug it when you’re done!
- If you have a wireless network router (It’s the device that sends wireless signals to your computer.), unplug that, too. It’ll be fine, and it will fire back up pretty quickly next time you plug it back in.
- To make it easier on yourself, try to organize your computer stuff and other electrical appliances with sturdy power strips. When it’s time to shut things off, all you have to do is shut off the power strip and unplug it, instead of unplugging one thing at a time.
- If you have a dial-up, DSL, or cable connection, unplug the network cable or phone line from your computer when you’re done surfing the Internet. Just put it over your keyboard or near the power button so you remember to plug it back in next time. Doing this will also help keep the bad guys out!
Try these tips for a month and see how much you save. Your identity will be safer as you save money!
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