Patch Tuesday
It’s called ‘Patch Tuesday’ even though it actually comes through on Wednesday morning in Australia. It’s that regular list of patches and updates from Microsoft that make your computer run like a dog while they’re downloading and nag you until you’ve installed them.
They can be a real pain, especially as you often need to reboot your computer as a result, but many threats exploit security holes, vulnerabilities and bugs in non-updated and old operating systems and programs.
These weaknesses include flaws in programs like web browsers, email clients, image viewers, instant-messaging (IM) clients and media players that can infect or compromise your computer just through visiting the website or viewing media. They can also be weaknesses in the operating system itself, although this is uncommon – especially with newer versions of Windows, which have security embedded from the outset.
Good digital citizenship
Patches and security updates fix security holes, vulnerabilities and bugs in programs and operating systems that have emerged in the weeks, months and years since the software was released.
These flaws allow an attacker easy access, however, they are often discovered by ‘white hats’ – hackers trying to find vulnerabilities before the bad guys so a patch can be written for it. Sometimes it’s the criminals who find the vulnerability, and when they do, computers all over the world can be compromised.
Failing to apply patches or upgrade your software makes it easier for cyber-criminals to launch an attack, steal your personal information and cause damage to your business. You wouldn’t leave your car unlocked in a rough part of town, so why do something similar with your PC?
Stay current with updates
Updates also serve different purposes beyond fixing security holes. For example, an update may change the way the operating system uses resources to make it more efficient. It may remove old, vulnerable features and replace them with newer, protected ones, and usually the latest drivers work the best. So while patches are an annoyance, they’re necessary. The pain can be reduced by simply checking for updates every Wednesday before you start work.
End of life
What’s even more of a worry is when an operating system has reached the end of its life and is no longer being supported, like what happened with Windows XP on 8 April 2014. According to Microsoft, if you’re a Windows user still using XP and you’re connected to the internet, even if you’re diligently keeping your antivirus up to date, your PC is five times more vulnerable to attacks.
Time for an OS update?
As a result, you should consider updating your operating system. Windows 7 is still available to enterprise customers, with support due to continue to 2020. However, with Windows 10 approximately a year away, Windows 8.1 is worth considering. There’s a handy assistant to see if your PC can run Windows 8.1 and there is a great tutorial that walks you through all the steps you need to take to migrate to the new operating system.
If your PC is too old to upgrade to Windows 8.1 then it’s probably time to consider buying a new one. Modern PCs are great value for money with plenty of power, big hard drives and lots of other great features that make them fun to use.
If you're thinking of considering the switch to a hybrid PC/tablet you can learn more here.
