Are you sick of seeing those annoying notifications every time you start your computer telling you to install an update? Well, the easiest way to get rid of them is to install the updates they’re recommending! All jokes aside, you should really install these updates. Let’s take a look:
- New features – Every year around September, Apple unveils a new, updates operating system. The most recent is MacOS High Sierra, which is an updated version of the previous MacOS Sierra. In these software updates, there are often new features added, including design, functionality, performance, and even personal preferences, among others.
- Security patches & bug fixes – Employees at tech companies like Apple and Microsoft are constantly monitoring the code of software and operating systems, staying vigilant for possible security threats that leave your information prone to hackers and looking out for bugs that may inhibit the speed/functionality/overall performance of apps or your system. When such problems are discovered, they work tirelessly to fix the issue(s) so the update will be available to the public as soon as possible. You should install these updates to keep your system secure against threats and possible hackers.
- Protecting others – We’ve all heard the sound advice warning us to never open emails from unknown senders, or that have misspelled subject lines, or even which contain various links within to potentially harmful sites. Also, you’re probably not really related to a Nigerian prince, so don’t give in to the money schemes. Email is a great tool, but it can become problematic if you don’t exercise caution. If you don’t regularly install software updates, and you open one of these emails or the link(s) within, it could be forwarded to all the contacts in your email, posing a threat to them as well. Software updates can alert you to dangerous emails such as these, as well as protective you from malicious sites on the web.
- Antivirus and antimalware – While we’re on the topic of security, you should download and install both antivirus and antimalware programs on to your system to protect you in real time while surfing the web or on email. It’s not enough to install security updates every month or so as suggested by your computer. These programs, instead, protect your system 24/7, and updates are available almost every day. These updates are usually quick and run in the background so they don’t interrupt your work to restart the computer. There are many free options available for download, such as Sophos, which offer all-around protection for your system.
In order to protect yourself from the dangers lurking on the web or within your operating system, you should regularly install updates as they’re released to the public. Nobody wants a compromised system, and getting your stuff back can be a pain or even impossible depending on the severity of the attack. If you’re hesitant about installing these updates, you can always read online reviews to get expert advice, as well as look into what specific problem(s) the updates address.