Always download the latest software and app updates as soon as they are available. Software and app updates contain vital security upgrades which protect devices from viruses and hackers. They are, according to the authorities, the most important action people and businesses can take to protect themselves from cybercrime.
GCHQ’s cyber security arm, CESG, strongly recommends that individuals and businesses regularly update software on all devices that use the internet to allow the latest security updates to be installed. This provides greater protection from viruses and other cyber threats.
Statistics from the polling firm Ipsos MORI point to a majority of people in Greater London that don’t always download the latest software updates for their mobile phone (67 per cent) or for their computer (65 per cent), as soon as they are available. The most common reason respondents across the UK gave for not downloading the latest software updates for their computer (29 per cent) was that it was ‘too time consuming’. About one in five, 19 per cent of respondents across the UK felt it was ‘too time consuming’ to download the latest software updates for mobile. Yet it only takes a few minutes to download software and app updates versus the time it can take to recover from a cyber hack. This is why cyber security awareness body Cyber Streetwise is launching #quickupdates.
The Ipsos MORI research also found that the majority of people thought they did not know a lot about the security benefits of downloading the latest software updates for computers (77 per cent) or mobile phones (74 per cent).
Commander Chris Greany, pictured, of the City of London Police and National Co-ordinator for Economic Crime: “Downloading the latest updates to your devices can protect you and your family to help halt the increase in fraud and cybercrime. Together we can protect the UK from criminals who use the internet to mask their identity and cause misery to millions.”
Lynn Farrar, Chair of Neighbourhood Watch said: “We wholeheartedly support the #quickupdates campaign and we are urging everyone to download software updates on mobiles, laptops and computers as soon as they appear in order to protect against cybercrime. This is such a quick and easy way to protect yourself, your family and your community against hackers it makes sense to get into the habit of doing it as soon as you possibly can.”
The Cyber Streetwise campaign, funded by the National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP), was launched in 2014 for providing the public and small businesses with the knowledge to take control of their cyber security and help protect themselves from cyber criminals.
To find out more, including how to set your device to that it automatically downloads the latest software updates visit https://www.cyberstreetwise.com/software-updates.
