The Stupidity of Panicking over Security Flaws
Warning: Knowledge Drop.
I’m going to get very real right now. All of the media and tech pundits are always talking about bugs and security flaws in software. I want you to read this and read it well; Every. Software. Has. Flaws. There is no human who can write a perfect piece of software. Why? Because we are humans, and humans are not perfect. There will always be imperfections with everything we create.
Bugs and flaws exist in all software and are usually harmless. They typically go unnoticed until someone discovers it. Sometimes the discoverer is a good ethical hacker who wants to help programmers fix the flaws. Sometimes it’s a malicious hacker who wants to exploit the flaws and make money or cause damage. We just hope the good hackers find the big flaws before the bad hackers do.
But you can also help ensure the bad hackers don’t exploit the flaws. MAKE SURE YOUR SOFTWARE IS UPDATED!!! I cannot stress this enough. When the good hackers find the flaws, the programmers fix it so the bad hackers can’t exploit it. If you don’t update your software, you don’t get the fix for the flaw. If you don’t get the fix for the flaw, you leave yourself open for the bad hackers to exploit your software.
Not updating your software is like walking into a mosquito-infested area without bug repellent. It’s like swimming in shark-infested water with a fresh steak around your neck. It’s like trying to run across a NASCAR racetrack during a race. You may not get attacked/hit right away, but you will eventually.
Unless you’re a programmer or a very highly tech savvy person, you have no reason to not update your software, all of your software. When the message pops up to update your software, click yes. If you’re not sure if the pop up is legitamate, ask someone! Google it! Just don’t let the software stay not updated.
So before you drink the Kool-Aid about latest doomsday flaw, or start griping because you have to update and restart your computer, think about what you’re saving yourself from. And if you choose not to keep your devices up to date? Well, let’s just say prevention is way cheaper than the cure.
