Why updates matter (and how to install them)
The simplest thing that keeps you safe
Of all the things you can do to stay safe, updates are the simplest and one of the most important. And, most of the time, they can happen on their own.
What updates actually are
An “update” doesn’t just mean new features. Most of the time it fixes security holes that someone could get in through. An unpatched phone or computer is like a door left unlocked.
Set them to automatic
The simplest way: keep automatic updates turned on, on your phone and on your computer. That way they happen on their own, usually at night, without you having to think about them.
Update your apps too
Not just your phone’s system — your apps (especially your bank’s app and your browser) need to stay up to date as well. Update them from the official store (App Store or Google Play), never from a link received in a message.
Watch out for fake “updates”
A pop-up on a website saying “update now” is often a trap. Real updates come from your phone’s/computer’s settings or from the official store, not from an ad or a window that appears out of nowhere.
Remember, in short
- Keep automatic updates turned on, on your phone and on your computer.
- Update your apps too, from the official store (App Store / Google Play).
- Don't install "updates" that appear as pop-ups on websites — they are often a trap.
Sources
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