Software updates are a crucial component of keeping digital technology up and running. They bolster security measures, improve performance and introduce new features that can boost productivity.
There are two types of software updates, major upgrades and patches. Upgrades move your operating system to a new version of the software, typically using a decimal after the version number—for example iOS 12.0 to iOS 13. The majority of the time, however, you’ll be receiving patches that will fix existing bugs or errors, or add minor functionality.
Why Should You Update Your Software?
When a threat actor takes advantage of a software flaw, they can gain access to sensitive information like passwords and financial details. Leaving your system vulnerable could put that data at risk and cost you money or even your reputation. Updating your software prevents this from happening, by fixing any vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
Many users don’t bother to install updates because they perceive them as a nuisance. However, the benefits far outweigh any short period of disruption. You can schedule updates to occur at a convenient time, and they often run in the background without interrupting your work.
Besides boosting productivity, software updates can also improve hardware performance. Specifically, driver updates breathe new life into outdated hardware by unlocking functionality and enhancing processing speeds. This can help to save you both money and time by reducing issues like lag and glitches, which can slow down work processes and hamper productivity.