Software Patches are a Part of Essential Preventive Maintenance to Keep Machines and Networks Safe
The expected lifespan of cotton fabric is over 100 years. Yes, that nice blouse or shirt or those pants you look great in can have an extended life of that range! Too bad fashion makes some of these items outdated almost as fast as technology makes hardware and software obsolete! Of course, even during its short fashionable life sometimes that article of clothing might need some patching or repair sewing done to address some rips or tears. Or, maybe a “vulnerable” area in the rear that shows a lot of wear that could expose all that is behind you needs to be addressed.
Sew. . . back to technology (pun intended)
Most think of technology hardware and software as strong, solid, and durable—but in fact, their inner workings need some TLC from time to time. That is why Windows and other hardware and software manufacturers update and “patch” their products on a regular basis. The goal is to keep systems safe. Patches are used to address vulnerabilities and gaps in security, fix a flaw in the software and/or enhance the basic stability of the software. Without these patches, weaknesses remain. That is why they are part of essential preventive maintenance to keep machines and networks safe.
A Verizon Data Breach report revealed that 70% of successful cyberattacks exploited known vulnerabilities in software where patches were already distributed and available.
Many folks get annoyed by these updates because they sometimes occur at “just the wrong time.” Having an IT resource like IT Radix manage that for you will reduce that probability. Here is why it is important… a Verizon Data Breach report revealed that 70% of successful cyberattacks exploited known vulnerabilities in software where patches were already distributed and available. Unfortunately, the user and/or the network had not allowed these patches and updates to flow through.
Some think that antivirus software will handle any issues and, therefore, ignore the software updates. That is a flawed strategy, antivirus software is only a small piece of the puzzle. Another recent study found that PCs with antivirus but not up to date with patches had the same infection rates as PCs running no antivirus. Additionally, the sheer number of malware releases—in the hundreds of millions each year (yes, cybercrime is a big business)—make it imperative that machines are kept up to date.
If your IT department or outside IT resource is not managing this update process for you, there are a few things you can do. Vendors routinely put updates on their websites for downloading, so check them periodically if you have not already enabled automatic updates on key business software. Be sure to use trusted vendor sites only. Periodically, it is also good to check to see if your software is up to date or “End of Life” (EOL). If it is EOL, it is a must to replace and/or upgrade to the newest version.
New flaws always appear. The best defense against attackers who exploit patched vulnerabilities is simple: keep your software up to date. This is the most effective measure you can take to protect your business and your network.
So, the next time you reach into your closet and see that favorite item of clothing with the minor rip or hidden flaw that if worn, could ruin your entire day…think of your computer network and remind yourself to be sure it is up to date. Candidly, it is better to be up to date with technology, than with fashion!
Contact IT Radix today and we’ll make sure there are no holes in your network.
First published in our March 2021 IT Radix Resource newsletter
