3 Reasons Why You Should Update Promptly
It’s very easy to click “Remind Me Later” when the prompt to update your software pops up on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. But you should avoid the temptation. Here’s why.
Security
Software updates often contain new features, remove dated ones, add support, and do a host of other things that sometimes aren’t immediately necessary. However, updates frequently come with security patches, and these are always immediately necessary for your software, app, operating system, or whatever is updating.
There are always new security threats being developed and deployed. Researchers discover previously unrealised vulnerabilities in software all the time. When this happens, IT professionals try to push out a security patch as soon as possible. Frequently, one of the biggest factors in the spread of a virus or some other computer security problem is the slow speed at which people choose to update. This is easily avoided.
Data Protection
It’s important to consider how many programs or apps you use that either have access to or hold your personal data. If these aren’t updated right away and there’s a bad actor out there stealing data, your data can become a target.
Something else that’s important to remember: you may not know you’ve been compromised. Many people who choose not to update right away think that because they don’t see anything going wrong, nothing is wrong. But this isn’t true. If you’re hit with a virus or your data are taken, you may not realize it for months.
Updated Software Works Properly
If you’re troubleshooting a computer problem, one of the first pieces of advice is usually “Make sure you’re running the most up-to-date version of the software.” Let your software get out of date, and it might not do what you want or behave in ways you expect. And keep in mind that software is designed to work with other software. For example, the drivers for your printer are designed to work with your computer operating system. You might have a problem using your printer if your computer operating system is out of date but you’re running up-to-date printer drivers. So keep everything updated and avoid the problem.
The Big Takeaway
The easiest way to stay up to date is to set software to update automatically. If this isn’t an option, then at least take a minute to skim the patch notes when you are prompted to update. If the updates are just minimal things like adding Japanese language support, go ahead and update later. But if the update includes a security patch, try to update right away. Backup your device, set the update to download and install, and treat this as a break.
