You know that little pop-up you get on your phone that says, “A new update is available”? Yes, the one you’ve been ignoring for 94 days? It’s not just trying to annoy you – it’s actually trying to keep your phone safe! So, let’s take a minute to stop procrastinating and update your stuff now!
Why do I need to bother with updates?
Because there’s more to them then just popping up when you’re scrolling Instagram. It’s important for you to update your stuff because:
- Hackers love lazy people. The longer you delay an update, the easier it is for cybercriminals to exploit known weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
- Your device needs help sometimes. Updates fix bugs, security holes, and can even improve performance.
- The world moves fast. And so do malware and ransomware. If your stuff isn’t patched, it’s vulnerable to the next cyber-attack.
In 2017, the infamous WannaCry ransomware spread across the globe like it was on TikTok. It worked by exploiting a vulnerability that had a patch available long before the attack. Unfortunately, people just didn’t update. It caused so much chaos, and many organizations and people lost a lot of data.
How to check for updates (A quick guide for procrastinators)
While the easiest method is just to click OK when you see the pop-up, it’s also really easy to check for updates. Follow these steps to update your devices:
Smart phones:
- iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update
- Android: Settings > System > System Update
Laptop/PC:
- Windows: Settings > Windows Update
- Mac: System Settings > General > Software Update
TVs & other smart devices:
- Usually in Settings > About > Check for Updates
- Or yell, “Hey device, are you up to date?” and see what happens
Apps:
- Visit your app store and tap “Update All.” Trust me, it’s satisfying.
But updates take FOREVER! What do I do while I wait?
Welcome to the exclusive club of “Update Time Activities!” where we provide amazing ideas on what you can do while waiting for your updates to complete. Select one activity from the list below and look forward to your update time.
- Stare at the screen and question your life choices (classic).
- Clean your keyboard (probably for the first time).
- Grab a snack – you earned it.
- Meditate on your amazing security achievement.
- Check what’s new on Netflix.
- Visit our YouTube channel 😊
- Write a poem titled “The joys of updating all”.
And when your updates are done, change your settings to allow automatic updates so that you don’t forget in the future.
What happens if I don’t update?
Unfortunately, the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to not updating your apps and devices, like:
- You might get hacked.
- You might lose your data.
- You might lose your identity – yes, identity theft is real.
- You might send your mom a virus instead of the cutest cat video.
- Your apps might stop working.
Basically, you risk the possibility of your device might becoming just a really expensive paperweight.
Just update your stuff!
This might seem like such a pointless reminder because everyone should already be doing their updates. Unfortunately, the truth is that so many people are still ignoring updates and are getting hacked because of it. So, the next time you see that little popup begging for attention, don’t hit “Remind Me Later.” Hit UPDATE NOW and pat yourself on the back like the responsible tech-savvy superhero you are. Be secure!
