A USB port that is unresponsive, a browser overloaded with tabs, a Windows update that loops endlessly: we all experience these micro-freezes that eat up time without warning. On the threat side, scams involving fake technical support have multiplied over the past two years, targeting users who are less comfortable with their machines. Knowing how to react to these concrete situations is what separates a passive use of computing from a controlled one.
Fake technical support scams: recognize them before picking up the phone
We start here because the risk is immediate. Since 2023, ANSSI and the national gendarmerie have reported a marked increase in scams where a supposed technician (posing as Microsoft, Orange, or another provider) pushes you to give them remote access to your computer. The typical scenario: a full-screen pop-up with a phone number, or an unsolicited call.
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Never let a stranger take control of your PC remotely. If an alert message blocks your browser, a simple restart or the Alt + F4 combination is enough to close the window. No software publisher will contact you to inform you of a virus.
To verify a suspicious alert or report an attempt, you can consult computer information on Geekstinct and cross-reference with the practical sheets from cybermalveillance.gouv.fr. The reflex to remember: hang up, close, verify by yourself.
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Windows and driver updates: what really gets stuck on the ground
On paper, Windows manages its updates by itself. In practice, we regularly find ourselves with a frozen screen after a restart, a device that is no longer recognized, or insufficient disk space to install the patch.
Freeing up space before the update
Windows needs several gigabytes of free space to apply a major update. The built-in “Disk Cleanup” tool (accessible by typing its name in the search bar) allows you to delete old temporary files and previous versions of the system. Clearing temporary files before any update avoids most freezes.
USB drivers and stubborn devices
A USB port that stops working after an update is often related to an outdated or poorly reinstalled driver. In the Device Manager, you can uninstall the relevant USB controller and then restart: Windows will automatically reinstall it with a compatible driver.
Feedback varies on this point; some motherboard models require downloading the driver directly from the manufacturer’s website. Checking the exact model of the motherboard remains the most reliable action.
Basic digital skills: what the DigComp framework changes concretely
The European Commission has published the DigComp 2.2 framework, which defines a minimum set of digital skills for all citizens. France aligns itself with this through its National Strategy for Inclusive Digital, which guides the work of France Services digital advisors.
This framework is not limited to “knowing how to use a computer.” It covers five operational areas:
- Managing one’s digital identity (passwords, privacy settings on social networks, traces left online)
- Digital administrative procedures (taxes, Ameli, CAF), which require knowing how to navigate between tabs, download a PDF, and store it
- Basic security: recognizing a phishing email, activating two-factor authentication on sensitive accounts, updating software
- Responsible use of personal data, including knowing what you authorize when accepting cookies or installing an application
For those distanced from digital technology, France Services spaces offer free workshops, supervised by advisors trained on this framework. Concrete actions are taught, not theory.
Optimizing your internet browser on a daily basis
A slow browser is not necessarily due to the internet connection. It is often a combination of unnecessary extensions, hundreds of open tabs, and a cache that has never been cleared.
Extensions: keep only those you use each week
Each active extension consumes RAM. Three well-chosen extensions are enough for most uses: an ad blocker, a password manager, and possibly a screenshot tool. The rest weighs down the browser without any noticeable benefit.
Tabs and RAM
On Google Chrome or Firefox, each open tab uses RAM. Beyond about twenty, the slowdown becomes noticeable on most configurations. Two reflexes help: use bookmarks to save pages you want to revisit later, and close tabs as soon as you finish a task.
Clearing the browser cache once a month resolves most issues of slowness or display. The option can be found in the settings, under “Privacy” or “Browsing data.”
Backing up your data: the rule everyone knows but no one applies
We know we need to back up. We don’t do it, until the day the hard drive fails or a ransomware attack encrypts all files. The good practice guide from ANSSI, published in partnership with CPME, places regular backup among its priority recommendations for individuals and small businesses.
The simplest method remains a combination of an external hard drive (connected only during backup) and an encrypted online storage service. Keeping a disconnected copy protects against ransomware, which also encrypts disks that are permanently connected.
On Windows, the “File History” tool automates backup to an external drive. On macOS, Time Machine serves the same purpose. Configuring either takes less than ten minutes and then works without intervention.
The common point of all these actions (updates, backups, browser cleaning, vigilance against scams) lies in their simplicity. None require advanced technical skills. What makes the difference is turning them into habits rather than waiting for a failure to react.