Protecting Your Computer During A Storm
You need to make sure that you unplug your computers, laptops, printers, scanners and most other electronic devices from all power sources during an electrical storm. You could end up with burned out electronics instead of a computer if a surge or lightning strikes or a brown out, spike and the list goes on… while your electronic device is connected to its power source. And by power source, I refer also to anything connected via the phone line such as modems and ADSL boxes.
Most people are surprised at this, but the phone line, which connects to you a dial-up modem, is a conductor that can just as easily zap your computer with a carefully placed lightning strike. Many people around the world who live in small towns or rural areas still connect to the Internet the slow way. As a matter of fact the laptop I am using to write this review was bought 5 days ago, contains Windows 7 and you guessed it, a dial up modem connection.
“But wait Mr. Tech, I already have a power bar, so I’m protected, right?” Well, probably not but let me explain. You see, if you purchased one of these cheapo, discount surge protector power bars, chances are the surge protection feature has been defeated a long time ago. The rule of thumb is that if you haven’t spent forty dollars or more on a quality surge protecting power bar, then you are not as secure as you may think you are. As a matter of fact, odds are that you are no longer protected at all and your fancy surge protection is no longer protecting you from surges.
The next time there is an electrical storm coming your way, unplug the computer from its power source, or go out now and purchase a quality surge protector bar before the storm arrives. Then you won’t be looking at spending your hard-earned money to replace a computer that could have been protected for less than a nice dinner out with your favorite person.
Technology is my passion, computers are part of our everyday lives and I want to help you bridge the gap by offering you short articles and blurbs in the most recent computer related topics.