What an update actually is
A software update is a new version of a program or operating system that replaces the one you have. Updates do several different things, and that is why they are worth taking seriously even when they feel like an interruption.
Some updates add features or change the appearance. Others fix bugs, such as an app that crashes or a setting that does not save. The most important for safety are security updates, sometimes called patches, which close weaknesses that have been discovered in the software.
Why security fixes matter
Every large piece of software contains mistakes, and some of them let an attacker do things they should not be able to do, such as run a program on your device or read information they should not see. When a weakness is found, the maker prepares a fix and releases it as an update. Once the fix is out, the details of the problem are often described publicly, so that people can understand the risk.
That creates a window of time. Before you install the update, your device still has the weakness, and now the weakness is known. Attackers can try to use it against devices that have not been updated. This is the main reason that security guidance consistently puts updates near the top of the list. The risk is not that every old device is attacked, only that skipping fixes leaves open doors that others know about.
Which things need updating
It is easy to think only about the phone or computer, but several layers are involved:
- The operating system, such as the software that runs your phone or laptop.
- Apps and programs, including your browser, email program, office tools and games.
- Browser extensions, which are updated separately in many cases.
- The router at home, which runs its own software, as explained in our guide to securing your home Wi-Fi network.
- Smart devices, such as televisions, cameras, speakers and doorbells.
Browsers and the operating system are the most important because they handle the largest amount of untrusted material from the internet.
Turn on automatic updates
The easiest way to stay current is to let your devices do it. Look in the settings for an option that installs updates automatically, and apply it to both the operating system and apps. Many devices allow you to choose a time, such as overnight while charging and connected to your home Wi-Fi. That removes the biggest objection to updates, which is that they appear at inconvenient moments.
If you prefer more control, a reasonable middle path is to check for updates on a regular day each week or month. The aim is that critical fixes are not left waiting for long periods. Mobile data users might wish to limit large downloads to Wi-Fi to avoid using their allowance.
Handling the inconvenience
People often postpone updates for understandable reasons. Here are some practical ways to deal with them:
- Not enough storage. Updates need free space. Delete unused apps and large files, or move photos to a backup, so there is room. Keeping backups also protects you if something goes wrong.
- Interruptions during work. Schedule the restart for the evening, or use the “remind me later” option, but set a limit on how often you delay it.
- Worry that something will break. Occasionally an update changes how something works. For important computers, such as a work machine, wait a few days after a major release and read the notes, but do not wait weeks for routine security fixes. Before a large update, make sure your files are backed up.
- Slow connection. Start the download overnight, or connect to a faster network.
- Battery. Keep the device charged or plugged in, as updates can fail if power is lost halfway through.
Spotting fake update prompts
Because updates are trusted, they are also imitated. A pop-up in a web page that says your browser, media player or other software is out of date and needs to be downloaded now is a common trick. The file it offers may be something unwanted. Real updates normally come through the app store, the system settings, or the program’s own built-in update feature.
A good rule is that you should not take an update from a link in an email, a text message or a web page that you did not ask for. Instead, open the program or settings and check there. If you have clicked on such a prompt, our notes on browser safety explain what to do next, and the pattern is similar to tech support scams that use fake alerts.
When a device is too old
Software makers eventually stop providing updates for older products. When that happens, newly discovered weaknesses are never fixed on that device. It may still work for everyday use, but it carries growing risk, particularly for banking, email and other sensitive activity.
Check your device’s settings or the maker’s website for information about how long support lasts. If a device is out of support, you have a few options: limit what you do on it, keep it away from sensitive accounts, replace it when your budget allows, or ask whether a trade-in is available. For a relative’s older phone or tablet, this is a good conversation to have gently, because the cost of a new device may be a concern.
Make it a habit
Updates are not the whole story of security, and no update can make a device immune to every problem. But they are among the lowest-effort, highest-value habits available, and they pair well with other basics such as strong sign-ins and backups. Turn on automatic updates, keep enough storage free, treat unexpected prompts with suspicion, and replace devices that are no longer supported. That short list covers the great majority of what you need.