Why all devices must be updated regularly

Updating programs is not only a change of the interface, visible to the end user. With updates closes the most invisible, but existing “holes” through which viruses can penetrate our devices. Updates ensure compatibility of programs with each other, with different protocols, new versions of the OS, optimize performance, etc. The “no point in upgrades” argument may indicate poor digital literacy on the part of the user who said it. Here’s why.

Unpleasant consequences of not updating

We live in an age where viruses can spread on their own, and almost every computer in the world has Internet access in one way or another. New places for cyberattacks are being discovered all the time. At the same time, software producers, who care about their reputation and the product, develop their product, both in terms of functionality, adding new features, and in terms of security. Not updating your system makes your devices more vulnerable. Imagine roulette, where the main prizes are your personal data and money on the cards.

So, depending on what kind of virus gets the system not updated in time, you can lose money or precious personal data. “Winning” scammers can also consist in the fact that the power of your computer will be used by an attacker for DDoS attacks or mining cryptocurrency into his wallet, and that too is not nice. As in the “Three Bears” fairy tale: “Who slept on my bed and wrinkled it?”, roared Mikhail Potapovich.

In late June, Palo Alto Networks warned of a massive attack by hackers spreading a hybrid type of virus called Satan DDoS. Interestingly, the malware is transferred between computers using old exploits known since 2017: DoublePulsar, EternalBlue and EternalRomance. Thus, the victims of hackers are only those who have not yet updated the system. This news in itself is a great reason to update all of your devices to avoid getting caught by cybercriminals.

Why is it important to update all devices at once?

In modern house a computer and a phone are tightly interconnected into one ecosystem: files are transferred between them, the computer often charges the phone via USB, they use the same Wi-Fi and so on. So your ecosystem will only be secure if you update all devices at once. For various technological and psychological reasons, mobile device users are on average more vulnerable to viruses than PC users. That’s why smartphone protection and digital hygiene are absolutely essential for every smartphone owner.

Don’t forget to update your mobile apps

If you use mobile banking, be sure to install antivirus and update it, and follow the recommendations against phishing attacks. There are also automatic solutions which update all the programs installed on your computer by themselves. On the phone the need to update, as a rule, are reminded of push-notifications. If an application “asks” to update – don’t refuse it, because this way it saves you from attacks. Do not use root access on smartphones aka jailbreak on iOS, that is, the rights of “superuser” with the ability to do with the device everything you want , in terms of functionality this action is not justified, but robs you of the opportunity to update and opens the door to cyber criminals.

…And don’t forget about computer programs!

Another favorite window through which hackers like to get into your “home” is popular programs, which often have vulnerable components. The first thing you should pay attention to after the upgrade of the operating system itself: antiviruses, browsers, but also Adobe products, media players especially VLC , third-party graphics editors and other programs you often use. This is especially true for video conferencing services like Zoom. Update them first! Of course, you can download updates only from the manufacturer’s site, not from some ad-banned software aggregator, otherwise you can “catch” viruses.

“Smart devices also want your attention

The saddest picture is with connected or intelligent IoT devices. Both users and manufacturers misbehave here. Approximately 30-40% of smart device owners are not aware that they need to update at all. Moreover, very often the manufacturers of such devices, especially routers for example, low-cost Chinese versions do not practically develop updates for their systems, or do it seldom and carelessly. Smart devices tend to update via a mobile app. This is a pretty simple procedure.

“At the same time, it is non-renewable “smart” devices such as video cameras or routers that are most often used by hackers to steal personal data, invade privacy or create botnets, which are then used to conduct DDoS-attacks. When choosing a ‘smart’ device it is recommended to pay attention to how a particular manufacturer supports the system of its devices, and based on that make a choice in favor of this or that device,” says Anton Kukanov, head of Roskachevo Digital Expertise Center.

Who needs to change the entire operating system?

More than six months have passed since support for Windows 7 ended, but it is still running a huge number – about 25% of computers worldwide. If your device falls into this sad statistic – as soon as possible, switch to Windows 10. Remember that with each day that passes since the end of official support and the lack of updates, Windows 7 becomes more and more vulnerable. Hackers are already well aware of this, and will create more and more viruses and exploits targeting older operating systems.

Windows 10 updates itself, putting you in front of the fact. But Windows 7 has various vulnerabilities such as BlueKeep which are not relevant for Windows 10, but could be a serious problem for users of the old OS if hackers get hold of them and conduct a mass attack like they did with WannaCry across the planet or a specific country like they did with NotPetya .

if you are not an IT pro, do not use updates, e.g. for OSs that are in beta status i.e. have not been officially released yet . They might have and most likely have undescribed vulnerabilities. In other words – holes in the system, not yet known to the developers themselves. Use only those updates that have been released officially.

“There can only be one conclusion. Make it a habit to regularly update the programs on your smartphone and do it, for example, once a week on weekends you can also set up automatic regular updates on your phone for convenience . This couple of clicks is a good prevention of fraudulent attacks, which, of course, few people think about until they come face to face with the problem,” summarized Ilya Loevsky, Deputy Head of Roskatchestvo.