The Importance of Computer Software Updates & Security Patches

What Are Software Updates For?

Overall, software updates exist to make your user experience better. While reminders to update software can be annoying, they exist for a reason. Software updates, also known as patches, refer to a set of changes that fix or improve software. These changes can improve performance and usability or fix critical security vulnerabilities. Depending on the software, updates may happen automatically. All software can be updated, but operating system updates are the most important because other software like apps or drivers rely on it.

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Why Are Software Updates and Patches Important?

From patching security holes to updating features, software updates ensure you have the best possible user experience. There’s no downside to updating software other than the short amount of time the update takes to install and the benefits of updating are significant.

Patch Security Weaknesses

Cybercriminals exploit security flaws, also known as software vulnerabilities. Software vulnerabilities are weaknesses or holes in software programs that allow malicious software to infiltrate your devices. Malware damages and destroys your devices, allowing hackers to access data, gain control over your computer, or slow down your system. Luckily, software updates include security patches that fix software vulnerabilities and keep malware out of your system. Updating your software and operating systems should be one of the most important parts of your cyber hygiene routine .

Protect Your Personal Data

Malware targets software vulnerabilities to access your device and steal data. Any documents or personal information on your devices, including email log-ins and bank account information, can be accessed through software vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals may use your information to commit fraud or identity theft. By updating your software, hackers won’t be able to infect your devices and access your personal data.

Avoid Spreading Viruses

Not only do software updates keep your devices secure, but they also prevent viruses and malware from spreading to other systems. If your computer is infected, hackers can use your device to infect your friends, family members, and colleagues through phishing emails or computer worms.

Improve Features

While security patches are the most important reason to update your software, it’s not the only benefit. Software updates give you new features and improve existing ones. Updates improve stability so that software doesn’t crash while being used. They also can update the program’s performance, giving you faster speeds.

How Do I Update My Computer?

Notifications and reminders to update your operating system or other software help keep your systems secure. Some types of software even update automatically, fixing security flaws without requiring action from you. However, not all software will show you a notification or automatically update when something needs to be fixed. Depending on the type of software and device, you’ll need to follow different steps to update.

Operating System Updates

Regularly updating your operating system ensures your computer runs more efficiently and stays safe from viruses.

For devices with a Windows operating system, follow these steps.

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Type Update into the search bar.
3. Under Windows Update, click Check for Updates.

Once Windows completes its search, it will prompt you to install any available updates. You can also configure automatic updates by clicking Change Settings and choosing Install Updates Automatically.

Mac owners will follow a similar process to update macOS.

1. Click the Apple menu, represented by the apple icon, and select System Preferences.
2. Click Software Update to search for available updates.
3. Choose Update Now for any available updates or select the option to set up automatic updates.

Browser Updates

Some web browsers like Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome automatically update when you close and reopen the application. Browsers like Internet Explorer and Safari can also be updated automatically by enabling Windows automatic updates or Apple updates in macOS.

Antivirus Software Updates

You can update most current antivirus software programs directly through the software program. Depending on the type of software you install, the process of updating can differ slightly. Open your antivirus program and look for Update, Check for Updates, or something similar.

Some antivirus software does not include the ability to update within the program. Instead, download new updates directly from the developer’s website.

If you’re tempted to ignore a reminder to update your software, remember these benefits, especially their impact on your cybersecurity. Configuring your devices to update automatically when possible can give you peace of mind that your information is protected.