It seems like every time we turn on our computers these days there are updates waiting to be installed.
This seemingly endless stream of updates can be annoying when we’re needing to get on with the task at hand, but I strongly recommend installing them before doing anything else.
Many people assume that software updates are released primarily to add new features or fix a bug or two, but that isn’t the case at all.
New software versions are indeed released for that purpose (i.e. the recent release of Windows 8), but most updates are actually maintenance updates. And trust me, maintenance updates are the most important updates of all!
While some maintenance updates do in fact squash bugs and add features, their primary purpose these days is to patch security holes that hackers can use to break into your computer system and send SPAM emails in your name, steal your personal information and bank accounts and perform countless other nefarious deeds.
Always remember this: Waiting even a single day to install a critical update gives crooks a window of opportunity to wreak all kinds of havoc on your personal and financial lives.
Recent versions of Microsoft Windows are set to automatically install updates by default which means you’ll never have to worry about installing them yourself. I recommend leaving automatic updates turned on. If you prefer to install them manually however, I strongly recommend that you do it right away. Putting it off even for a little while could result in a major headache. And don’t forget to quickly install all updates for your applications too!