Our minds seem to always be ready to devour the next conspiracy theory. And, in the tech space where the pace of innovation exceeds the capacity of some to understand, it comes as no surprise that this is an industry rife with controversy and is swimming in a sea of misconceptions.
And although by and large, more and more people are coming to understand it, a number of us are still hung up on misguided notions about the modern tools we have at our disposal.
I hope I can dispel a few of these ideas in this article, and give you some guidance as you go about your day. Because let’s face it, there is no getting away from technology. So, we might as well learn it, even if the answers we get are more complex than we would like. Here are my picks for some of the most common misconceptions about technology.
And although by and large, more and more people are coming to understand it, a number of us are still hung up on misguided notions about the modern tools we have at our disposal.
I hope I can dispel a few of these ideas in this article, and give you some guidance as you go about your day. Because let’s face it, there is no getting away from technology. So, we might as well learn it, even if the answers we get are more complex than we would like. Here are my picks for some of the most common misconceptions about technology.
1. Cell phones cause cancer: this has been said time and time again because it is a well-known fact that cell phones exude electromagnetic radiation. However, the only effect of this radiation is a little extra heat. Many parents get concerned about the health of their children’s undeveloped brains, but most studies have not found any link between the use of cell phones and the development of tumours in the brain.
Still, research is limited because studies over the long term have not been conducted yet. Generally speaking, most of the information collected concerns adults and it debunks this theory.
Still, research is limited because studies over the long term have not been conducted yet. Generally speaking, most of the information collected concerns adults and it debunks this theory.
2. Windows is full of viruses, while Macs are safe from it: The real reason why Mac is not a victim of frequent hacker attacks is that more computer users are occupied with the Windows system, about 80-85%. This inevitably means that hackers are more familiar with the security measures employed by windows. Macs would be just as vulnerable if their usage was more widespread. Either way, both systems need to be protected. Especially, when it comes to business networks that contain valuable and oftentimes privileged information. So my advice would be to always make sure that you employ the services of a professional that provides both physical and network security.
3. Incognito browsing mode keeps your computer activity anonymous. Many people believe that “incognito” and “private” are synonymous with anonymous. If you’re using Incognito Mode in Google Chrome or Private browsing in Safari, it only means the browser will not keep track of your history or automatically log into any of your accounts. In other words, it will keep other people who use your computer from seeing what you have been doing, but it will not keep your identity or your Internet Service Provider hidden from the sites you visit.
4. If it is lost from the recycle bin, it is lost forever. Discrediting this idea should actually be good news to most people. Deleting a file and then emptying the recycle bin does not mean that you have lost the data you just deleted. The icon may be gone, but the system still keeps data about your program, file, photo, or whatever else it is. And, with the help of numerous applications and programs, you can restore your data.
5. You must always shut down your computer every night. This certainly is a question that many office workers have contemplated before. “Is shutting down my computer every single night really necessary?” It certainly is true that shutting down your computer can actually save some electricity, and it also will remove the problems you previously had while working on it the day before by rebooting the computer. Shutting off your computer every now and then is a good idea, but it is not necessary to turn it off every night.
6. Third-party chargers will damage your phone. People will often go out of their way to spend extra money on buying the original chargers for their phones. But research has shown that quality third party charges are not harmful to phones. Chargers that come with your newly bought phone are specially designed for them and charge the phone faster and more efficiently. However, this does not mean that the third-party chargers will be harmful, but one must make sure that they are made by licensed and trusted companies.
7. A smartphone without GPS cannot be tracked. While GPS is certainly one way to pinpoint the location of a mobile device, it is not the only way. It is also possible to track a cell phone over the Wi-Fi networks and cell towers.
8. Keeping your phone plugged in can damage the battery. Most people probably leave their phones plugged in overnight, long after their battery is fully charged. And there is a general perception that doing so will damage your smartphone’s battery, but it does not.
9. Cameras with more megapixels can take better pictures. This is a myth. When it comes to picture quality, what matters the most is the sharpness of a picture and the lens type. So, there is no reason to spend the extra money on a phone thinking you are buying a better camera, when in fact you are not.
10. The more bars on your mobile phone, the better the service. This is a myth. The bars you see on your phone indicate the signal strength, not the quality of service. Your Wi-Fi connection might be at full capacity, but you still could be getting little to no service at all. This would be the case if too many people were logged onto the network at the same time, crowding the connection.
I hope this list gave you one less thing to worry about when going about your day, having to deal with technology at almost every point. Are there any other crazy myths you have heard about technology which did not make our list? Let us know.
10. The more bars on your mobile phone, the better the service. This is a myth. The bars you see on your phone indicate the signal strength, not the quality of service. Your Wi-Fi connection might be at full capacity, but you still could be getting little to no service at all. This would be the case if too many people were logged onto the network at the same time, crowding the connection.
I hope this list gave you one less thing to worry about when going about your day, having to deal with technology at almost every point. Are there any other crazy myths you have heard about technology which did not make our list? Let us know.
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