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Update Your Software

October 28, 2024 by Jua James

Welcome to the fourth and final week of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This week, our focus is on “Update Your Software.” Keeping your software updated is essential to ensure all your devices have the latest security patches and fixes. If automatic updates are not an option, make it a habit to manually check for updates regularly.

Update Your Software Resources:

Helpful Cybersecurity Tips:

  • Enable Automatic Updates: Set your devices to automatically download and install updates; schedule restarts for convenient times
  • Download from Trusted Sources: Only obtain updates from verified websites or official app stores to avoid malware
  • Beware of Phishing Attempts: Ignore suspicious pop-ups urging you to download updates or call a number; close the browser instead
  • Make Updating a Habit: Regularly check for updates if not automatic; aim for monthly checks, or weekly if possible

Update Your Software Facts and Figures:

The National Cybersecurity Alliance 2023 Oh, Behave! report lists the following cybersecurity survey responses:

  • Only 36% of people always install software updates when they become available. This leaves a majority not consistently keeping their systems up to date
  • 65% of participants know they should keep their devices updated, but not everyone follows through immediately
  • Around 60% noted they either “always” or “very often” install updates when notified about them

Our emails and supporting information are available from the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) page on the CUNY website. We also provide a growing security resources list on the CUNY Information Security pages. You may also want to visit the OUCH! website to read recent security articles or subscribe to the world’s leading, free security awareness newsletter designed for technology users.

If you have any questions about any of this information, please contact your college’s Information Security Manager.