Live like a millennial

Technology is everywhere these days, and though almost everyone has a basic understanding of how most digital things work, it’s not uncommon to feel like you’re a bit behind in a world full of talking speakers and wearable robots.

If you’d like to live like a true millennial, we’ve put together some tips for staying on track of the most current technological trends.

Steer clear of links that could cause viruses

Whether you’ve got a smartphone, a tablet or a computer, it’s vital that you keep an eye on the websites you’re visiting and the things you’re downloading to make sure you’re not opening yourself up to any viruses.

Scams and bugs are also commonly spread through hoax emails, using ploys such as needing to change your banking password before your account is shut down. It’s fairly easy to avoid falling for such tricks by being vigilant, just make sure to never open anything from an email address that looks suspicious, and watch out for spelling mistakes in any messages you receive. If an email seems too good to be true (a TV license refund, for instance) then it probably is. If in doubt, call the company that the email claims to be from to find out whether or not it’s legitimate.

Stay safe when using your devices in public

If your mobile data plan doesn’t stretch very far, when you’re out and about and desperate for a connection it can be tempting to risk connecting to that suspicious looking password-free network from a nearby cafe. But doing so can open your phone to all sorts of unwanted visitors, whether that’s an evil hacking genius or a virus floating around the devices of nearby users.

Make sure to stay safe when you’re on public Wi-Fi by turning off any data sharing options you may have, and never sign into anything important such as your bank accounts or private emails.

Always use secure passwords for your accounts

If you only use a small selection of online accounts, it’s easy to fall into the habit of using the same easy password for everything. Even if you think your choice of password is secure, there’s always that chance that someone could guess it, and you need to be extra careful in this age of constant security breaches.

Try to use a different password for everything – even if it’s a relatively similar one with a different variation of numbers or letters – and make sure to change it every few months to be extra safe.

Try out some fun gadgets and services

Many people under 25 don’t tend to watch DVDs or listen to CDs. Instead, they take out free or paid subscriptions to a range of streaming services, with the most popular being Spotify, Amazon Music, Amazon Prime, YouTube Premium and Audible.

Combine these with some smart home devices, such as a hub that’s linked to Amazon Alexa or Google Home, and you can enjoy a truly modern entertainment experience.

Do some research before you invest in anything

Sure, technology isn’t always cheap, but that doesn’t mean a new shiny purchase should completely break the bank. Lots of companies are guilty of revamping devices in exciting new colours, using this as an excuse to charge much more than you really need to pay for something you could just as easily buy refurbished for half the price.

HDMI cables usually work pretty much deliver the same performance whether they’re rose gold or silver, so check the specifications of any products before you buy them to ensure you don’t end up spending more money than necessary.