Imagine coming home from a long day at work to find that the lock on your front door is broken.

Your house is now vulnerable to intruders, and you have a choice to make: do you ignore the issue and hope for the best, remind yourself to fix it later, or get it fixed right away?

Most of us would choose to get it fixed immediately, as leaving it broken could lead to serious consequences. The same principle applies to your device’s operating system. It is responsible for managing your apps, software, and hardware and it is crucial that you keep it up to date and secure.

In a previous blog post, we discussed the importance of patching apps downloaded to your device. However, it’s equally important to patch your operating system. Cybercriminals are constantly searching for vulnerabilities in outdated systems and can create malware to exploit them within 48 hours. By neglecting to update your operating system, you not only put your own information at risk but also that of your clients.

To ensure that your systems remain secure, here are three ways to keep them updated:

1. Turn on automatic updates: This takes the stress out of manually updating your systems and ensures that the patch is applied as soon as it becomes available.
2. Replace unsupported software: If your operating system is no longer being updated by the vendor, your data is more vulnerable to a cyber attack. It’s important to replace unsupported software with a more secure option.
3. Apply vulnerability scanning software: This can help identify holes in your system that need patching, making it easier to stay on top of updates and keep your systems secure.

By implementing these strategies alongside the previous strategies we’ve shared, you can keep your systems secure and protected from cybercriminals who are constantly looking for ways to exploit unsecure doors. Remember, just like fixing a broken lock, updating your operating system is a small but critical step in keeping your digital environment secure.