Smartphones are everywhere and can do a lot
of things, even a few that they probably shouldn't. Like trying to perform a do it yourself colonoscopy
with your smartphone. Hey take it from me, it won’t work -- there
are much safer ways to spy on your colon health. In the mean time, to keep you surfing the
web in safety, I've collected a list of other things you should never do with your phone,
laptop, or other devices. # 1 Using cheap chargers
If you lose or damage your device’s charger, you might not want to shell out the full amount
for a replacement. Finding a less expensive alternative might
seem like a smart move but do some research before you buy it. There are plenty of quality third-party chargers
available for a reasonable price, but just as many cheap knock-offs that can and will
damage your battery. Keep an extra eye out for counterfeit chargers. They're often poorly made and can fry your
phone if you aren't careful. In rare cases, people have been injured when
their knock-off chargers caused a short-circuit. # 2 Ignoring updates
Updates include things like bug fixes, security upgrades, and improvements to the user interface. They play an essential role in making sure
your device still runs like new. If you’re having performance, stability,
or compatibility problems with your apps or devices, make sure you're using the latest
version of all your software. Ignoring security updates can also make you
vulnerable to hackers. When your device says it's time for an update,
you might want to take its word for it. # 3 Leaving Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on
If you use these features often, you probably leave them turned on all the time. But not only are you wasting power, you're
also exposing your device to added security risks. Think of these connections like doors leading
to your data. The more you leave open, the easier it is
for thieves to break in. Bluetooth is extra dangerous because it relies
on low-power radio waves, which are easier to intercept and tamper with than other types
of wireless signals. # 4 Using public Wi-Fi
The best things in life are free, or so the old saying goes. Whoever coined that phrase probably didn't
have Wi-Fi in mind when they came up with it. Free Wi-Fi is dangerous for the simple reason
that anyone can access it. And anyone includes cybercriminals trying
to steal your identity or sell your data. Many public Wi-Fi networks are unencrypted,
meaning that hackers can easily eavesdrop on what you're doing. That includes sensitive data like passwords,
emails, and bank account information. Some hackers have also been known to impersonate
legitimate W-Fi networks to steal your information. # 5 leaving your phone unlocked
If someone else gets access to your phone, they have complete access to your contacts,
photos, text messages, and call history. They can also get their hands on dangerous
intel like your saved passwords. Leaving your phone unlocked is like leaving
your doors unlocked when you go out. You better keep it secured unless you want
someone to walk off with all your electronic furniture. # 6 Eating or drinking near your laptop
Multitasking is pretty much mandatory in modern life, but lunch and laptops don't mix. If you get crumbs in your keyboard, it’s
extremely hard to get them out. Drinks are even worse. Spill something on your keyboard, and you're
in big trouble. If you're lucky, it will only make the keys
sticky and unresponsive. If you're not, the moisture might get into
something important and turn your expensive computer into a useless lump of plastic. # 7 Keeping your phone in your back pocket
Phones don’t do well under pressure, and I mean that literally. They weren't designed to be sat on, something
that's bound to happen if you keep your device tucked into your back pocket. Sitting on or putting any other kind of weight
on your phone is a great way to damage it, and that goes double for the screen. Even if you never see any cracks, sitting
on the display can still damage it internally. This can cause blurry images or even blank
spots to appear on the screen. # 8 Leaving disks in your laptop
I probably only use my laptop’s disk drive two or three times a year, but it's still
nice to have. If you suddenly become the owner of some disk-based
media, just make sure you don't leave it in your laptop when you're carrying it around. This can lead to the disk falling out of its
tray and getting jammed in the disk drive, damaging both the disc and the computer itself. For the same reason, you should also avoid
tilting your laptop while the disk is spinning. # 9 Letting your phone overheat
When you exercise, your body heats from all the calories you’re burning. Okay, that's not exactly true, but your body
does heat up when you exert yourself. Your phone is the same way, and it can't exactly
cool down with a glass of water. It isn't likely to melt in your hands, but
high temperatures can be damaging to the internal components. The battery is especially vulnerable, and
high temperatures can permanently decrease its ability to hold a charge. If you ever notice your phone is getting too
hot, turn it off for a few minutes and let it cool down. You'll thank yourself when you aren't having
to replace the battery every few months. #10 Leaving your laptop in your car
Have you ever left a chocolate bar in your car, and all that was left was some warm brown
goo? Believe it or not, the same thing can happen
to your laptop if you leave it in a hot car. It might not liquefy, but on a summer day,
your car can get more than hot enough to melt plastic or damage the internal components. Leaving it in the snow isn't good either. The liquid crystals in your laptop's LCD screen
will freeze at temperatures below 0°F. This can permanently damage your screen. #11 Using your phone when it’s charging
Imagine you’re watching a fantastic video by Bright Side. That shouldn’t be hard to do. Right as the narrator’s about to reveal
the secret of eternal happiness, your screen goes black. Not wanting to miss a second of quality content,
you plug your phone in and continue watching. We've all done this, but it might not be the
best idea. For starters, most of the power goes to the
screen and CPU instead of being stored in the battery, meaning that it will take longer
to charge to 100%. This also generates a lot more heat than normal,
which can damage your phone’s battery. #12 Never turning it off
Phones and laptops need breaks too, and just because we call it sleep mode, doesn't mean
it's resting. Apple recommends turning your device all the
way off at least once a week, and Android manufacturers give similar warnings. Shutting it down every night when you go to
sleep reduces wear and tear on the battery and increases performance by resetting your
background apps. #13 Putting your laptop on your bed
Laptops give you all the functions of a desktop computer wherever and whenever you need it. But if that wherever includes your bed, you
might be damaging your computer. Computers stay cool by letting air move through
them. Most laptops have their air intakes on the
bottom. Resting your laptop on a soft surface like
a pillow or blanket restricts the airflow, making it heat up faster. It also turns your laptop into a vacuum cleaner,
pulling in all the lint, dust, and loose fibers these surfaces collect. All that gunk can clog the vents and fan. If the fan gets jammed, it can burn out and
will need to be replaced. #14 Using counterfeit SD cards
SD cards are a great way to expand your phone or laptop’s storage capacity. They’re also a handy way to back up your
data in case anything goes wrong with your device. Just make sure you’re getting them from
a trustworthy source. Counterfeit SD cards are everywhere and can
cause all sorts of problems. Most are poorly made and rarely store as much
as promised. People have also experienced slowing down,
crashes, and lost data from using counterfeit cards. #15 Installing apps from unknown sources
You wouldn’t just let any random stranger into your house, and the same applies to phones,
tablets, and PCs. Third-party downloads can be crawling with
malware and other viruses, which you obviously don't want to have slithering around on your
device. Also, keep an eye out for paid apps that are
free on third party websites, as these apps are probably pirated copies. In addition to the legal reasons you should
stay away, pirated apps won't always work correctly. Also, the app’s original creator may still
be able to lock you out of certain features. Hey, if you learned something new today, then
give the video a like and share it with a friend! And here are some other cool videos I think
you'll enjoy. Just click to the left or right, and stay
on the Bright Side of life!
