Winter has officially arrived! December 21st marked the hibernal solstice, more commonly known as the winter solstice, when the Earth’s poles tilt furthest away from the Sun.
What does that mean for us? Shorter days, cooler weather, and the perfect excuse to cozy up indoors with a good movie!
To help you stay connected this winter (and for those cozy movie nights!), our friends at Cox Communications are sharing some essential internet tips to help you stay connected and keep your devices running smoothly.
Keep It Cool
Even in California, temperatures drop when the sun goes down or before it rises, so protecting your internet-enabled devices is key. Don’t leave your devices in freezing temperatures for extended periods. This can damage batteries and internal components. And these rapid shifts from sunny days to the California cold can cause condensation to form inside your devices. It’s a good idea to let them warm up when changing locations to avoid this.
Stay Dry
Wipe your device with a soft, dry cloth to remove debris and moisture. When our rainy season does kick in, keep your devices in a waterproof case or a bag when traveling between locations. While it’s tempting to take your mobile phone out and look at emails and social media or to send a quick text, a little water can do a lot of damage.
Install That Update
Ensure your devices, including internet routers, have the latest software updates installed. These updates often include security patches that protect against vulnerabilities. It’s always a best practice to stay on top of updates as they become available. Since you may have more downtime keeping warm inside, what better time to let your device hibernate for an update to improve its performance and stability?
Optimize Your Connection
If you work from home, test your remote work setup (internet connection, VPN, video conferencing software, etc.) beforehand to ensure it’s functioning properly. A best practice to do at least once a month is to back up important files to an external hard drive, cloud storage, or other secure location. And speaking of backing up, you should also have a backup plan in case of internet outages, such as using a mobile hotspot or switching to a different location with reliable internet access.
If you are without reliable internet in your home Cox offers various internet tiers, including two affordability plans geared toward qualifying lower-income households.
- ConnectAssist – $30/month for speeds up to 100Mbps (for households without K-12 children and ideal for those who receive a VA pension or survivors’ benefits).
- Connect2Compete – $9.95/month for speeds up to 100Mbps (for families with children in grades K-12 to ensure digital equity for all students for their education).
For more information on ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete, CLICK HERE.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your internet connection and devices remain reliable and functional throughout the winter months.
