If we had to use one word to describe the lockdown, it would be a laptop. The laptop becomes an all-powerful item that keeps you connected to friends, hobbies, and colleagues. As such, it’s become the hard-working device that brings us together during the pandemic. Yet, it also needs to remain a safe environment for all essential interactions. It’s easy to put your data and your work at risk when you’re using the same device for everything. So what do you need to keep in mind when you’ve got one laptop for everything? It’s hard balancing that one laptop for work and fun.

The first and most important lesson you’ve learned in the first lockdown back in 2020 is to define clear physical boundaries between work and fun. When you’re using the laptop for work, it’ll be in the home office, or the space dedicated to work. As such, the work area is separated from unwanted distractions, such as the TV. You need a proper space that guarantees peace and privacy. But there’s more you can do to use your laptop safely. 

Use a VPN for personal downloads

When the home becomes the heart of all our hobbies, we’re quick to turn to digital content for support. Is there a film you haven’t watched yet? Perhaps, it’s available on the popular streaming platforms. Can’t find anything that takes your fancy? How about torrent sites where you can download content for free? As tempting as it could me, you want to make sure you are not taking unnecessary risks. Tech DIY expert, Troypoint, provides a list of the best torrent sites available as well as a brief review of the cyber risks. Torrent sites open a peer-to-peer connection which could make your data and device vulnerable. It can be helpful to set up a VPN system to protect your laptop. The best vpn will help ensure no malware can infiltrate your laptop during the download. 

Reading this atlas vpn review you can see that it offers SafeBrowse which blocks adverts. Ads can be very distracting when you should be concentrating on working from home. Ads also slow down your website speed, which prevents you working as quickly. This type of VPN can also block fake news which can entice you to read it and stop focusing on the work at hand.

Block disruptive content while working

You needed to briefly research something online before answering a work email, but you lost track of time. A handful of cat videos later, you’re wondering what happened to your morning! We start the day with the best intentions in the world but we can easily get distracted online. Rather than mixing fun and work on your laptop, you can set up a website blocker during the day to boost your productivity. A popular choice is to exclude social media sites, fitness and health apps, and online gaming platforms during working hours. 

Have a reward system

Why do we waste so much time during the day on websites that have nothing to do with our work? Because being stuck at home can be dull. It’s hard to get motivated. Therefore, you’re using fun content as a way to make your day more engaging. Unfortunately, it can affect your productivity. But if a website blocker doesn’t work for you, you can use fun websites as part of a reward system. Why not schedule yourself some me-time online when you finish a big task? It can keep you focused and motivated as you keep your eyes on the prize! 

I use a laptop, therefore I am. This should be the modern equivalent of the famous Descartes saying, “I think, therefore I am”. 

Keeping your laptop safe and efficient throughout lockdown is all about how you use it and how you protect it. From cybersecurity initiatives to smart scheduling, there’s a lot you can do to make the most of your device during lockdown.