We can’t get very much done these days without our devices. From laptops to tablets to smartphones, there is a software application for virtually anything we want to do. We listen to music, we book our travel, we place orders for dinner.
Of course, SMB’s require the latest in software to run their business as well. Because of the necessity to avoid downtime on their servers, keeping the software running smoothly and without glitches is important to productivity and profitability. Automatic software updating is a popular solution among IT professionals, as the process can ensure that employee software is updated, protected, and patched. So how does it work?
What are Software
Software developers are in a constant state of adapting and changing their product. Often, these changes are initiated by customer feedback, which more often comes in the form of upgrades. But very often updates are necessitated by glitches or bugs which have been revealed during real-time use of the software. As these software issues are discovered, the developer will issue an update which will address the problem and hopefully make the software perform better. These updates can be automatic, or can be set to require a manual update process.
Automatic updates permit users to maintain updated software programs without having to look for and manually install every available update. The software will periodically check for available updates from the vendor or developer, and these updates are then downloaded and installed without any user involvement.
The functionality of Microsoft Windows is a familiar example. The standard operating system provides automatic updates to assist users in staying abreast of latest bug fixes and feature updates, making everyone’s user experience better. Internet browsers also feature automatic updates to add new features and protections to their millions of users.
Manual Software Updates
Many software programs and applications allow users to disable the automatic update feature. This means that users will have to manually search for available software updates and install them individually. This is strongly discouraged by the experts, however. Users run a very real risk of missing important updates and exposing their device or network to vulnerabilities.
In many cases, the device will provide an alert to a user that an update is available. It will then be up to the user to install the update. It is recommended that all updates be installed at the time they appear. Not only is this a good habit to get into, but it will keep your software running as smoothly as possible.
Most organizations require automatic software updates for any devices which have access to the enterprise network or company data. This is primarily due to the threat of cyber attack which is related to this issue.
Why Hackers Hate Software Updates
When a software developer issues an update or software patch, it is to correct a vulnerability in the software. Much of the cyber crime we see, even some of the most infamous virus and ransomware attacks, involved the hackers exploiting a known vulnerability. The patch or update was made available, but the user(s) did not avail themselves of it. Hackers understand human nature – so they simply find those who have not updated, and then “break in” through the identified breach.
One of the easiest yet most powerful way that you can protect your device from hackers is to keep your security updates and patches up to date. Remember, anti-virus software, VON’s, and firewalls are also recommended safety measures.
While the world of technology may seem a bit overwhelming to keep up with, you don’t have to go it alone. Alliance IT provides hardware and software expertise to companies of all sizes. From technology assessments to consulting and managed services – we make IT make sense.
