“Your computer needs an update.” You have probably seen that message many times and clicked “Remind me later.” Most of us do. But skipping updates is one of the most common reasons people get hacked.
Here is why updates matter and how to make them as easy as possible.
Why Updates Are So Important
Software — including Windows, macOS, your browser, and your apps — is written by humans. Humans make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes create weaknesses (called “vulnerabilities”) that hackers can exploit to get into your computer.
When companies discover these weaknesses, they fix them and release an update. Once the update is public, hackers know about the weakness — and they immediately start targeting computers that have not yet installed the fix.
This means: the longer you wait to update, the more at risk you are.
What Needs to Be Updated
1. Your Operating System (Windows or macOS)
This is the most important update to install. On Windows, these are called Windows Updates. On Mac, they come through System Preferences or System Settings.
How to check on Windows:
- Click the Start menu (Windows icon in the bottom-left)
- Go to Settings (the gear icon)
- Click Windows Update
- Click Check for updates
How to check on Mac:
- Click the Apple icon (top-left corner)
- Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs)
- Click General → Software Update
2. Your Web Browser
Your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) is what you use to access the internet. Keeping it updated protects you from dangerous websites.
Most browsers update automatically. To check manually:
- Chrome: Click the three dots (top-right) → Help → About Google Chrome
- Edge: Click the three dots (top-right) → Help and Feedback → About Microsoft Edge
- Firefox: Click the three lines (top-right) → Help → About Firefox
3. Your Antivirus Programme
Your antivirus needs to know about new viruses to detect them. This knowledge comes in the form of “definition updates” which most antivirus programmes download automatically. Make sure your antivirus is set to update automatically.
4. Other Programmes
PDF readers, media players, and other software can also have security holes. Check for updates in the app itself, or use the Windows Store (or Mac App Store) to update apps installed from there.
Turn On Automatic Updates
The easiest solution is to let your computer update itself automatically — usually at night when you are not using it.
On Windows:
- Go to Settings → Windows Update
- Click Advanced Options
- Make sure Automatic updates is turned on
On Mac:
- Go to System Settings → General → Software Update
- Click the information icon next to “Automatic Updates”
- Turn on all the options
”Do I Need to Restart After an Update?”
Yes, sometimes. Updates often need a restart to take effect. If your computer asks you to restart, let it do so at a convenient time.
If you keep postponing restarts, the updates are not fully protecting you.
What If an Update Breaks Something?
This is rare, but it does occasionally happen. If something stops working after an update:
- Search online for the problem (e.g. “Windows update broke printer”)
- You will usually find that other people had the same issue and there is a simple fix
- Contact the manufacturer of the affected device or software
This inconvenience is worth it. The risk of not updating is far greater than the occasional problem an update might cause.
The bottom line: Updates are like locking your door at night. It only takes a minute, but it makes a big difference to your safety. Set your computer to update automatically and let it restart when it asks you to.