It can feel like every program wants an update installed and wants it installed right now. The temptation is always there: hit “Remind Me Later” and hope it goes away forever. However, software updates usually aren’t intended to annoy or stop work in progress. Many software updates are designed to patch security holes and prevent bugs that give hackers access to your data.
For operating systems in particular, keeping patched is one of the easiest ways to protect your company’s hardware and users from malicious software and attacks. Hackers are at work every day trying to find a way into your operating system, and sometimes even the patches need patches to keep systems running smoothly.
Using an Apple system seems like an easy way around those annoying patch days, but macOS can have catastrophic security bugs that need operating system-level fixes. Many exploits and hacks use previously discovered holes in software, and even attackers with basic skills know exactly where to look for them.
Maybe you’re using a Linux or Unix system and think that’ll serve as protection. Unfortunately, Arch Linux discovered malicious software in its repositories, and before that, Ubuntu Linux faced a similar compromise. Every computer that touches the internet is vulnerable, no matter its operating system or the software it’s running. That’s why proactive managed detection and response has become an essential layer of defense for businesses of every size.
Beyond that, many of your routers and other network devices may be vulnerable and may not notify you the way Windows will. CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog is updated continuously and regularly includes network device firmware flaws that attackers are already exploiting in the wild. Check your router manufacturer’s website regularly to see if there’s new firmware, then schedule some downtime to get it installed, tested, and running. It usually doesn’t cost anything, and it’s one of the best ways to make sure your network stays secure.
Just remember to get your users to save everything before running any updates, since lost work can be a big mess even if you had the best of intentions. A good managed IT services partner will handle patch scheduling and staged rollouts for you, keeping every device on your network up to date with minimal disruption to your team.
Make Patch Management a Priority Before an Attack Does It for You
Delaying updates is one of the most common and most costly mistakes businesses make. Attackers actively scan for unpatched systems, and the window between a vulnerability going public and being actively exploited is often measured in hours, not weeks. The good news is that effective patch management doesn’t have to fall entirely on your internal team.
WheelHouse IT helps businesses across South Florida and New York take a proactive approach to patch management, threat monitoring, and network security so you never have to wonder whether your systems are current. Start with a free network risk assessment to find out exactly where your vulnerabilities stand today.
Ready to take patch management off your plate? Reach out to WheelHouse IT:
Florida: (954) 474-2204 | New York: (516) 536-5006
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