36% of survey participants reported installing the latest updates and software as soon as they become available. Of those who reported installing the latest updates to their devices, 62% had turned on automatic updates. (NCA)
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Marking its 20th year, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has launched an evergreen cybersecurity awareness initiative named Secure Our World.
The fourth cybersecurity best practice CISA emphasizes is to install software updates promptly.
Approximately 2 in 5 survey respondents say they either “sometimes,” “rarely,” or “never” install software updates (NCA). One of the easiest ways to protect accounts and information is to keep software and applications updated.
Updates are periodically released to fix software problems and provide security patches for known vulnerabilities. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month don’t hit the “remind me later” button. Take action to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
Keeping software up to date is an easy way to improve your digital security. For added convenience, turn on the automatic updates in your device or application security settings! Set it and forget it!
Devices and applications will usually notify you when the latest software updates become available, but it’s important to check periodically as well. Software updates include devices’ operating systems, programs, and apps. It’s important to install ALL updates, especially for web browsers and antivirus software, or apps with financial or sensitive information.
2. Install updates as soon as possible
When a software update becomes available, especially critical updates, be sure to install them as soon as possible. Attackers won’t wait, and you shouldn’t either!
3. Turn on automatic updates
With automatic updates, devices will install updates as soon as they become available—Easy! To turn on the automatic updates feature, look in the device settings, usually under Software or Security.
If a criminal gets into a device through a security flaw, they will look for personal information and sensitive data to exploit. Technology providers issue software updates to “patch” security weak spots as quickly as possible.
If we don’t install them, they can’t protect us!
Software updates can also:
When we see an update alert, many of us tend to hit “Remind me later.” Think twice before delaying a software update! Keeping software up to date is an easy way to stay safer online.
To make it even more convenient, turn on automatic updates!
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Questions about your IT or Cybersecurity? Give us a call today!
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