Cell phones are a huge investment, and most people want to hang onto them for as long as their features become obsolete. While this can be a good money-saving strategy, using a phone longer than it is intended to be used has its own consequences, like physical damage, glitchy OS, etc. So, on that note, here are 12 tell-tale signs that indicate it’s time to upgrade to a new cell phone. Outdated operating system Almost all older cell phones fail to upgrade to a new OS due to outdated hardware, which indicates it is time to upgrade to a new cell phone. Glitchy touch screen If the cell phone’s touch screen shows a delayed response to your swipes, it may be due to malfunctioning sensors. Fixing these sensors will only provide temporary respite from the glitch. Cell phone reboots randomly A cell phone that reboots randomly could point toward the presence of malware. However, if the phone reboots even without malware, it might just be old and worn out. Faulty power button The power button is critical. However, a faulty power button is not always a sign that your phone is about to die. That said, it is of no use if you cannot power it back on or off.

Smartphones have evolved with time and become more efficient against threats. Regular security patches help minimize the risk of potential vulnerabilities and attacks on sensitive data on the phone. But manufacturers are known to discontinue a device’s security support after a few years. Such smartphones are at a higher risk of a data breach. So if you use an older unsupported device, you must remember these tips to keep it safe from malware. Identifying phishing attacks A phishing attack occurs when a hacker poses as an officially verified company and asks for sensitive information. These attacks occur through email, text messages, and even over a call. On granting access to data, hackers may acquire your bank account and credit card details. To identify a phishing attack, you must check for details like misspelled URLs and poorly designed websites and double-check the sender’s authenticity by calling the company in question. Avoiding unverified apps Both Android and iOS devices have dedicated app stores with verified and safe apps for purchase and download. But people sometimes install unverified apps from sources other than Google Play and Apple App stores. These versions may have all features unlocked for free but might contain a string of malware that will siphon off personal data from your phone.

While many people today can’t wait to get their hands on the latest smartphones on the market, there is another segment of the population that likes to use their mobile phones until the device is completely broken and dead. Sure, the second category of people are saving money while being more environmentally friendly, but they’re also putting themselves at risk of all kinds of cyber attacks that can have long-term financial and emotional consequences.  Here, we’ve explained the dangers of using very old mobile phones. It lacks security updates If you’re using a smartphone, you’ve probably already received one or more security patch updates till now. A security patch is a software update from the phone manufacturer to fix all the known vulnerabilities in a particular mobile phone model. Since cybercriminals are relentlessly searching for new ways to circumvent the security on mobile phones, phone-makers are required to keep fixing security holes now and then. However, most manufacturers stop sending out patch updates after two or three years (about five years in the case of Apple devices), making the mobile phones significantly less secure. If you weren’t aware, security vulnerabilities become common among the hacker community every few weeks or months, putting users of unsupported phones at higher risk of hack attacks.

Advancements in science have made it possible for something as basic as vacuum cleaners to have innovative features and be powered by smart technology. The newest vacuum cleaners can also be wireless. The appliances provide quality suction power with multiple detachable gadget heads for various purposes. However, human error and negligence can affect the durability of these machines. So here are 5 common mistakes to avoid while using a vacuum cleaner. Neglecting cleaning the filter You do have to clean the vacuum cleaners from time to time for it to function properly. Remove the filters and collection bins inside the appliance and clean them. Doing so right after emptying the bin will improve the suction quality. Not using the right accessories Vacuum cleaners come with multiple cleaning heads and attachments designed for specific tasks. For example, brush cleaner heads are suitable for scrubbing and vacuuming dust, dander, and surface pollutants off the carpet. If you use a flathead attachment designed for floor cleaning, it does not serve the purpose. So, use the right accessories to vacuum efficiently. Vacuuming oddly shaped objects or liquids Vacuum cleaners are designed to suction microscopic objects. Even if the motor is powerful enough, the gadget cannot pick up odd items like stones, screws, or even liquids unless built explicitly for the same.

Smartphones are one of the most used gadgets on a daily basis. With new and innovative features being introduced with each upgrade, you can practically get anything, and everything done with a stable internet connection and a good smartphone. But these features are also one of the main reasons why some habits that are not good develop unknowingly. Here are 4 common ones to break free today. Buying cheap accessories Never buy cheap knock offs or first copy accessories for your phone including charging and data transfer cables. Experts recommend using the ones that come with the box or switching to a superior make and quality. This is mainly a safety precaution taken to lower the risk of electrocution or the phone battery overcharging and bursting into flames triggered by cheap materials. Checking all notifications Notifications can be really distracting and time consuming to check. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself constantly checking the phone for the latest updates. That’s a tough habit to break, especially if you are active on social media. It is only the beginning of smartphone addiction, so you need to brace yourself and be mindful of the daily hours spent using the phone. React and respond only to the important alerts and try to ignore the rest of the apps till the end of the day.