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Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online
Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online

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3.3 Keeping your software up to date

An image of a smartphone. On the screen is a calendar alert for a software update.
Figure 17

Computer operating systems and application programs are so large that they inevitably contain bugs, some of which could compromise your security.

The majority of companies issue regular updates to their programs to fix known problems. Major operating systems and some application packages (such as Microsoft Office and the Adobe productivity suite) automate most of the process of updating software by automatically checking for updates, prompting the user to install them and then actually performing the update itself. This process is sometimes called ‘patching’.

Activity 1 Keeping your software up to date

Timing: Allow about 15 minutes

How do you go about keeping one of the software applications on your computer or device up to date? Reseach the application online to find out if there is any additional information about keeping it up to date.