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Tech devices, whether purchased and used by businesses or consumers, often represent a significant financial investment, so it’s no wonder everyone is interested in tips for extending their useful lives. Unfortunately, however, some commonly circulated advice is no longer accurate (or never has been), yet it’s still held as truth by many consumers—even some tech experts.
Most of us are heavily reliant on our various devices, using them daily for everything from working to shopping to navigating to keeping in touch—and a whole lot more—so it’s important to access accurate advice about protecting them. Below, 19 members of Forbes Technology Council debunk common misconceptions about using and maintaining our workplace and personal tech devices and share the truth behind the myths.
1. Purchased Tools Are Always ‘On’ And Working
When it comes to business technology, a common myth is that all devices are being properly protected and maintained. Most IT and/or cybersecurity personnel presume that the tools they purchase and deploy are always “on” and working. However, vendor consoles will exhibit signs of “presence,” but not the “state” of the systems. About 30% of the time, these tools are not configured properly or have technical issues that prevent them from actually working. - Greg Fitzgerald, Sevco Security
2. Antivirus Software Provides Comprehensive Protection
The myth that antivirus software alone ensures device security overlooks modern threats. Effective protection requires a layered approach to managing and securing devices, including enterprise mobility management, user education and regular updates. - Sunil Sankaramanchi, Wenable Inc.
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3. Everyone Always Needs The Latest Devices
The biggest myth is that most people need the “latest and greatest” technology. Technology has evolved, and many consumers simply don’t need the latest version of devices. Consumer-use laptops don’t have huge computation requirements; we are largely consuming social media and communications applications. The truth is that we need reasonably powered equipment that is kept current with software. - Michael Adler, N-able
4. Adding RAM Or A Faster Processor Will Speed Up Any Device
A common myth is that more RAM or a faster processor always results in a significantly faster device. For everyday tasks such as browsing the Web, emailing and editing documents, devices with midrange specs are often more than sufficient. Performance bottlenecks are frequently due to software issues—such as too many background processes or outdated software—not hardware limitations. - Nikhil Jathar, AvanSaber Technologies
5. Built-In Software Will Protect You From Hackers
One huge myth is that built-in software-based security tools are sufficient to keep our devices protected from hackers. Even with regular software patches and updates, those tools represent the bare minimum for protecting your endpoint devices. This “database approach” is flawed and constantly exploited by hackers. In reality, true zero-day protection is best achieved with dynamic hardware security. - Camellia Chan, Flexxon
6. Apps Should Be Closed On Mobile Devices
One prevalent myth about tech maintenance is that closing apps on smartphones boosts performance. However, modern operating systems manage background tasks efficiently, and force-closing apps may even consume more resources. Instead, focus on uninstalling unused apps and updating software regularly for optimal device performance. - Mark Vena, SmartTech Research
7. Leaving Your Device Plugged In Will Damage Its Battery
Many believe that leaving a device plugged in damages the battery. Today’s devices are designed to stop charging once the battery is full, preventing overcharging. The real focus should be on maintaining battery health through regular, partial charges rather than letting it drain completely or keeping it at 100% all the time. This approach extends battery life and ensures devices remain efficient and reliable. - Dmitry Mishunin, HashEx
8. Defragmenting Hard Drives Will Improve Speed
It’s a myth that regularly defragmenting hard drives improves device speed. In truth, modern solid-state drives don’t benefit from defragmentation—it may even reduce their lifespan. Instead, prioritize optimizing storage usage and managing unnecessary files to ensure SSD longevity and performance. - Sandro Shubladze, Datamam
9. Using A Third-Party Charger Could Damage Your Device
A common myth is that using third-party chargers will damage your device or void the warranty. As long as the charger is certified by reputable organizations (UL, CE, FCC) and has the correct specifications for your device, it should be safe to use. Modern devices have built-in protection to prevent damage from compatible chargers, and reputable third-party options are generally safe. - Andres Zunino, ZirconTech
10. You Should Use Strong Cleaners To Remove Dirt And Grime
Contrary to popular belief, excessively cleaning tech devices with harsh chemicals or abrasive materials can actually damage them. The truth is that gentle cleaning with microfiber cloths and electronic-safe cleaning solutions is sufficient for removing dirt and grime without risking damage to the device’s surface or internal components. - Jagadish Gokavarapu, Wissen Infotech
11. If You Don’t ‘Safely Remove’ A USB Stick, You’ll Lose Files
Some people think you must always “safely remove” a USB stick from a computer to avoid losing files. Actually, if you are not adding or saving files to it at that moment, it’s usually okay to just pull it out. Computers nowadays are pretty good at handling this without losing data. - Margarita Simonova, ILoveMyQA
12. Fully Draining And Then Charging Your Battery Will Extend Its Life
One persistent myth is that fully draining and then charging a device’s battery extends its life. Modern devices use lithium-ion batteries, which actually benefit from partial discharges and recharges. Fully draining a battery before recharging can stress it over time, potentially shortening its lifespan. The truth is, keeping a device’s battery level between 20% and 80% is generally recommended. - Nicola Sfondrini, PWC
13. Updates Can Be Harmful
I often hear the myth that updates could be harmful—not from security experts, but from the average user. People tend to see updates as tedious and annoying while neglecting one important fact: Updates often contain security improvements and fixes for newly discovered vulnerabilities. If you do not update regularly, your device is open to malicious attacks and hacking. - Matthias Pfau, Tuta
14. You Should Turn Off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth And GPS When You’re Not Using Them
Some people think that turning off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS on their devices will significantly improve battery life. While disabling these features can help conserve some battery life, the difference is often minimal on modern devices. These technologies have become much more energy-efficient over the years. It’s more important to manage screen brightness, background app refresh and push notifications. - Marc Fischer, Dogtown Media LLC
15. You Need A Task Manager App
Many consumers mistakenly believe installing task manager apps improves device performance by managing background processes. However, device operating systems already handle this efficiently. Third-party task managers are often unnecessary and can sometimes interfere with the system’s built-in optimization algorithms, potentially causing more harm than good. - Cristian Randieri, Intellisystem Technologies
16. Clear Your Cache Regularly To Boost Performance
A common myth is that regularly clearing the cache and closing background apps boosts performance. In reality, modern operating systems efficiently manage memory and resources. Constantly clearing the cache and closing apps can slow down your device, as it needs to reload data and restart apps. It’s better to let the system manage these tasks and only intervene if necessary. - Sachin Parate, Twilio Inc.
17. It’s Possible To Fully Delete Data From Devices
The myth is that you can delete information from tech devices. The reality is that there is no such thing as "delete”; when you delete something from a device, it is no longer listed for the user, but the data is still on the hard drive. I have worked on many cases in which I was able to recover information that the user thought was “deleted” months before. - Eric Cole, Secure Anchor Consulting
18. High-Megapixel Cameras Take The Best Photos
When it comes to smartphones, it’s commonly believed that having more megapixels means better camera quality. The truth is, while megapixels contribute to image resolution, the quality of photos depends more on other factors, such as sensor size, aperture and image-processing software. A camera with fewer megapixels but superior technology can outperform one with a higher megapixel count. - Andrew Blackman, EZ Cloud
19. You’re ‘Invisible’ In Private Or Incognito Mode
One common myth is that using a browser’s private or incognito mode will make you entirely invisible. That’s just not true. Lots of data is collected and stored while you’re browsing in private mode—all that’s hidden are your past searches. To be “invisible,” use a virtual private network (a.k.a., a “VPN”).
