Have you ever gotten to the point with your tablet where things start to get bogged down a little? We often like to boast about the CPU and superior memory of our mobile devices, but there is nothing more frustrating than when that zippy little mobile device starts to lag behind when you’re trying to open apps or run demanding games and applications.

So, what’s the solution? How do you optimize the operation of your Android phone or tablet so that it runs just as slick and fast as when you first bought it?

There are actually two major schools of thought here. A very large majority of tablet users believe that the only way out of such a bogged down situation is to go through running tasks and to kill all of the apps and services that you aren’t using. This essentially removes the application from cache, freeing up your memory and – most people believe – making your device run at its optimal performance. More free RAM, faster performance, right?

Not quite. Jerry Hildenbrand over at Android Central described it best – pointing out that the whole purpose of RAM is to use it. In Jerry’s words, empty RAM is wasted RAM. Keeping your commonly used applications in cache allow your Android to load up those applications much quicker every time you use it. And the Android OS is adept at releasing low priority apps (ones you don’t commonly use) from memory if your RAM fills beyond capacity.

Whether you’re a computer novice or a pro-level geek, you probably have some idea about Wifi security. You know that you need to have some kind of password – preferably a long password, maybe even with some punctuation; and you also know that there’s a setting on your router to hide the network name so other people can’t see it. You’ve done all that, and now your sitting there safe and sound in the knowledge that your network is on lockdown. Really? You might want to keep reading, as we dispel a few common beliefs about Wifi security.

Hiding your Network SSID

Security through obfuscation is the worst kind; anyone with access to the most basic of wifi hacking tools will see your “hidden” network listed alongside everyone else’s. The only people it is genuinely hidden from are legitimate users; family, friends, or customers trying to connect to an invisible network that they can’t see when they click on the little wifi icon in the corner. The hacker meanwhile, has identified your hidden network and is launching the next app he’ll use to crack your passkey. The clock is ticking.

Advice: Don’t bother hiding your SSID – the only person it’ll cause problems for is yourself.

WEP Passwords