Feb. 13 Is National Clean Out Your Computer Day

​Each year, the United States observes “National Clean Out Your Computer Day” on the second Monday of February. This year's falls on Feb. 13. 

First, it is important to recognize the importance of keeping your computer's contents clean. 
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Why clean out your computer?

• Performance: Kaspersky, a data security company, points out that storing too much data on a computer can slow it down significantly, causing outages and even potential loss of data.
• Security: How-To-Geek, a computer publication, explains that keeping old files and software will lead to increased risks of hacking and data loss. Malware can sneak into your computer or server more easily when you do not have strong control over all of the apps and files on your devices. 
  
  

Next, let's talk about how you can participate in National Clean Out Your Computer Day. 

Simple steps
Here are a few quick steps to clean out your computer on Feb. 13 in celebration of National Clean Out Your Computer Day:

• Go through all of your files and software. Delete everything you no longer need or use. 
• If you have an excessive amount of files that you do need, consider backing those files up in a virtual environment. PC Advisor, a website filled with digital technology news, notes that Dropbox and OneDrive, two cloud-based backup services, have free plans that can fit a full personal computer worth of data. 
• If you have numerous images and other data-heavy files, consider purchasing additional cloud storage from Apple, Microsoft or another provider. These plans are typically cheap, at a few dollars per month, for backup. 
• Begin to regularly move less-needed files onto an external hard drive, which is also relatively affordable for personal use. 
• Run a system check to identify the full range of apps and background files that are using data, and make sure they are all familiar and necessary. 
• Unsubscribe from junk emailing lists and consider using only your business account or personal account for promotional messages to avoid duplicates. 
  
  

At the end of the day, putting the work in to keep your computer running smoothly can go a long way toward protecting your private files and sensitive information, while also increasing the device's lifespan. Make sure you take part in National Clean Out Your Computer Day this year! And if you miss the day, you can still take these steps to streamline your digital life.