- The web is the internet
One of the most common misconceptions people have today. Most people use the web as their method of using the internet. The internet actually began in the form we use it when Arpanet started using the TCP/IP system in 1983. Six years later, Tim Berners-Lee invented the web, made up of servers and clients which display the page (Internet Explore, Safari, Firefox etc.). The internet is the system of technologies under the surface, which enable the web to come to existence. Without the internet, the web would seize to exist.
2. Cookies are dangerous
Web cookies are plain text files that are used for websites to store information on your computer to manage your browsing. Unless there is a security flaw in your browser, cookies can’t have access or modify any files, change settings or execute code. The only real concern people have is the lack of privacy in your browsing habits.
3. It is necessary to let your phone’s battery drain before charging it
When a device uses Nickel cadmium batteries, it is advisable to let the battery drain fully before charging it. Nickel cadmium batteries suffer from what’s called the memory effect, when the battery is charged and discharged often enough; it begins to lose ability to charge the battery at 100%. The good news is most electronics now run on lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries don’t suffer from the memory effect and can be recharged at any time. Apple, whose products run on lithium-ion batteries, does recommend that you let your device’s battery drain from 100% to 0% once a month to help maintain life of the battery.
4. More bars on your smartphone, mean better service
Bars on your smartphone indicate your signal strength to the cell tower closest to you. The misconception is that your signal strength signals service quality; however, your service quality actually depends on how many devices the cell tower is serving at a given time. You may have noticed that when you go to a large sporting event or festival, you have bars but you can’t effectively communicate on your phone. This is because the cell tower isn’t equipped to serve the influx of people in that one area at a given time.
5. Emptying the trash or recycle bin will permanently delete files
Emptying the trash doesn’t delete a file permanently, it just frees up the space used on the hard drive. There will still be fragments left on the hard drive that could still be revived in the future.
It is true that Macs aren’t as susceptible to viruses as Windows’ devices; however, this can be attributed to the fact that Windows was the most common operating system until just a few years ago. With Mac’s gaining popularity, they are becoming more at risk to get viruses targeted specifically at Mac products. The good news for Mac users is that their OS X operating system does currently have much less paralyzing viruses to worry about.
- I should wait to upgrade because there is something new coming out just around the corner
In the tech world, there will ALWAYS be something right around the corner scheduled to be released. This is just the nature of the industry; if you get caught up in this mindset you will never upgrade and suffer the consequences for it. Though there are times it makes sense to delay an upgrade, make sure you have weighed the benefits with the costs of waiting.