We, people of the 21st century, may consider ourselves tech-savvy, but when it comes to tech myths, believe it or not, they still exist. Thanks to constant technological advancements, a vast amount of information about technology is available. While some of this information is true, other information is simply rumor, passed on by word of mouth and lacking technical confirmation. On this page, we've listed the ten most common technology-related myths.
Myth #1
Incognito mode makes you invisible to the world.
The word "incognito" signifies a false identity. So, when web browsers introduced incognito mode, it was automatically assumed that it created an impenetrable barrier between the computer and the outside world. In reality, things are quite different. Incognito mode enhances user privacy and security because browsing history is not saved in this mode. Furthermore, cookies created in this mode are automatically deleted when the window is closed. However, incognito mode does not completely prevent your computer from being tracked. Websites you open in incognito mode can still track information about you. Your internet service provider can also track the pages you visit in incognito mode. This mode also does not protect your device from viruses and other malware. (1,2)
Myth #2
Viruses do not infect Apple Macintosh computers.
Mac computers are undoubtedly more secure and reliable than Windows computers. This is because the Mac operating system is based on Unix, and Unix offers a number of built-in security features. Furthermore, Apple has implemented a number of security measures that make attacking Macs particularly difficult.
Despite these security measures, Mac malware exists, and some of it is dangerous. Some of the most dangerous Mac viruses include: OSX/Leap, OSX/DNSChanger, OSX/RSPlug, OSX/Jahlav, OSX/MacSweeper, OSX/Krowi, OSX/OpinionSpy, OSX/MacDefender, OSX/Dok, and many others. (1,2)
Myth #3
Do not charge your phone/computer until the battery is completely discharged.
When we see 0% on the laptop or mobile phone screen, we assume the battery is low. But if we hold down the power button, the screen will turn on long enough to indicate that the battery needs charging. This is because the battery's charge is approximately 10%.
A common myth has led many people to believe that charging a device from empty will extend its battery life. In reality, allowing your battery-powered devices to discharge every day will reduce their performance over time. Therefore, to extend the battery life of your electronics, stop allowing your phone or laptop battery to discharge every day. (1,2)
Myth #4
Continuous use of mobile phones can cause cancer.
How often do we hear that cell phones cause cancer? Perhaps every day. But according to the US National Cancer Institute: "Radiofrequency energy, unlike ionizing radiation, does not cause DNA damage that can lead to cancer. The only consistently observed biological effect in humans is a slight decrease in tissue heating. Animal studies have not found it to cause cancer or enhance the carcinogenic effects of known chemical carcinogens.".
According to the World Health Organization, "Over the past two decades, a large number of studies have been conducted to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To date, no adverse health effects associated with mobile phone use have been identified.". (1,2)
Myth #5
Storing magnets near a hard drive, flash drive, or any other data storage device will result in data corruption/deletion.
The source of this myth lies mainly in films and TV series. For example, in the fifth season of the series «"Breaking Bad »Drug lord Walter White and his accomplices wiped a laptop's hard drive using a powerful electromagnet. Unfortunately, this isn't possible in real life.
Every hard drive contains two powerful neodymium iron-boron magnets that control the movement of the read/write heads. It would take a very powerful magnet to affect the data inside the drive. Even passing a neodymium magnet over the drive would only render it unusable, leaving most of the data intact. (1,2)
Myth #6
Refreshing your desktop will speed up your computer by making it run faster.
To speed up your computer, we often right-click an empty space on the desktop and refresh it. However, unless you make any changes to the icons and their paths, refreshing the desktop will not change anything. In fact, refreshing the desktop is not necessary to improve your computer's speed. (source)
Myth #7
Unsafely removing the USB drive will delete your data.
When disconnecting a USB device from a computer, it's recommended to always click the "Safely Remove Hardware" button before unplugging the device. For a long time, it was believed that ignoring this rule could lead to data corruption. However, data corruption only occurs when files are being read or written to the USB drive. If no activity or data transfer is taking place between the device and the USB drive, you can simply disconnect the USB device from the computer without clicking the "Safely Remove Hardware" button. (source)
Myth #8
Phones should only be charged using chargers from the same company and not third-party chargers.
When you buy a new phone from a certain manufacturer, the instructions always state that you should buy and use chargers from the company that made your device. In reality, the type of charger has nothing to do with the health of your phone. Any reliable third-party charger will do. The only thing to be wary of is the super-cheap chargers sold on the black market. They are less reliable, and some can damage your phone. (source)
Myth #9
A high resolution mobile phone camera means that the camera will take better quality photos.
Every month, a new phone is released, claiming a more advanced camera thanks to a higher megapixel count. However, it often turns out that a 5-megapixel camera takes better photos than a 12-megapixel one. This is because megapixel count alone doesn't guarantee improved photo quality. The formula for capturing fantastic photos must consider the entire camera module, including the size and material of the main lens, the light sensor, the image processing hardware, and the software that brings it all together. (source)
Myth #10
Keeping a laptop on your lap for a long time will lead to infertility.
The link between laptop use and fertility has long been a subject of debate. For women, it's generally considered completely safe. This is because eggs are produced in the ovaries, located deep within the female body. Therefore, heat from a laptop or other external source is unlikely to be strong enough to raise body temperature enough to damage the ovaries and disrupt egg production.
The effect on men is more controversial. It's well known that increased temperature negatively impacts sperm production. This phenomenon has been observed in cyclists, runners, and hot tub users. However, studies on the effects of laptop heat on men's testicles have been conducted in controlled experiments. Generally, people don't hold a laptop over their intimate parts for long enough to cause irreversible damage. Proper ventilation of the intimate area significantly helps prevent potential damage. (1,2)