It’s the most wonderful time of the year… especially if you’re a gadget lover. Smart home gear, shiny new devices, and clever tech toys are flying off the shelves and into holiday wrapping paper everywhere. Whether you’re gifting them or getting them, winter is peak season for new tech in the home and office.
But before the excitement turns into “Why isn’t this working?” or “Is this secure?”, here are a few easy, practical tips from the team at Rivercity Tech to keep your new winter tech running smoothly and safely.
1. The Holiday Favourite: Smart Home Devices
From robot vacuums that zip around like caffeinated elves to smart speakers that politely answer everything except what to get your in-laws, smart home tech is booming.
Quick tip: After setting them up, change the default password. Seriously. Half the internet still uses factory credentials, and cybercriminals know it.
2. New Laptops and Tablets Need a Warm Welcome
If someone unwraps a new laptop this season, the first instinct is to dive right in. But taking 10 minutes for updates, antivirus setup, and enabling multi-factor authentication will help keep it secure long after the wrapping paper hits the recycling bin.
Bonus: Encourage automatic updates, letting the machine do the work is the true gift of modern tech.
3. Gaming Consoles and Holiday Traffic Jams
New gaming consoles and handhelds are top gifts again this year. But remember: the moment they connect to Wi-Fi, they’re entering a world with millions of players, and not all of them are friendly.
Parent-friendly tip: Turn on parental controls before the kids discover them. You’ll thank yourself later.
4. The Classic “New Year, New Phone” Upgrade
Phones are a December staple. If you’re moving from an old device, make sure you actually complete the data transfer, especially if it holds business contacts, 2FA apps, or cloud credentials.
And please: Don’t toss your old phone in a drawer. Wipe it and recycle it!
5. Protect Your New Tech With End-of-Year Cyber Hygiene
Whether at home or at work, the influx of new devices makes December a perfect time to review your digital setup. Check your Wi-Fi password strength, ensure backups are working, and verify that your business devices are enrolled in proper monitoring.
If you're not sure what’s secure and what’s a little Grinchy, Rivercity Tech can help tune up your ecosystem.
Unwrapping new tech should feel magical, not stressful. With a few simple steps, you can enjoy your shiny gadgets and head into the new year secure, organized, and ready for anything.
