Why installing software updates promptly is worth the interruption

Written for UpdateSee: the essentials, without the noise.

Update prompts tend to appear at the worst moment, so many people postpone them for weeks. Most updates, however, fix security weaknesses that are already publicly known, which means attackers know about them too. A device that runs old software is a much easier target than one that is current, even if its owner is careful about links and downloads.

Update prompts tend to appear at the worst moment, so many people postpone them for weeks.

The simplest solution is to let updates install automatically overnight, both for the operating system and for apps. Restart devices at least once a week so pending changes actually take effect. When an old phone or laptop stops receiving updates altogether, plan to replace it or limit what it is used for, because it will no longer be protected against new problems.