Update/Patch your applications and the OS

We all see the Windows wants to update your computer and sigh, not again!

It's actually doing a really important thing, not applying updates is a really bad idea.

Every second Tuesday of the month Microsoft releases the patches for the month, these patches include a range of updates. Some fix bugs. The ones we should be worried about fix vulnerabilities in the code.

A vulnerability in the code will allow a cyber criminal to potentially gain access to your computer, from here they could:

• Copy your data
• Record the keys you press and order (think online banking)
• Record using your web camera
• Copy your internet browsing history and threaten to send it to a loved one or your work

All of these things can lead to a very stressful situation. So when Microsoft asks to update, let it!!!!

It's not just Microsoft that requires updating, so do the applications you install on your computer, think:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Itunes
• Adobe Acrobat Reader

All of these applications require regular updates. These applications are regularly the most attacked software due to the fact they are installed on almost every computer in the world.

Unlike with Windows these applications don't always pop up and say I have an update. But when they do, and if you can set them to, always download updates.

You can also download a handy tool like Secunia PSI (https://www.flexera.com/enterprise/products/software-vulnerability-management/personal-software-inspector/).

This scans all the applications installed on your computer and when an update is available lets you know, so you can always be up to date and protected.