_THE EASIEST THING YOU CAN DO to keep your computer secure on an ongoing basis is to apply updates as soon as they become available.You want to look out for two types of updates — software and system updates. Software updates contain fixes for the applications you download, while system updates work to improve the overall performance and security of your device’s operating system.

When an app developer or a computer manufacturer learns of a security vulnerabilityA flaw in a software program that potentially opens up security or privacy holes. Check regularly for software updates that might address vulnerabilities. that impacts their product, they will work to push out a patch for the disclosed vulnerability. These security patches are often included in updates, and are essential to decreasing your computer’s exposure to nasty bugs and exploitsA program crafted to take advantage of a flaw in a system, with the intention of granting the attacker access to data and other valuable resources on the affected system..

macOS users

Check for system and software updates (System Preferences>Software Update).

If you have an update available, select Update Now. Updates can take a while, so you should make sure you have a reliable internet connection and are plugged in to a power source. When your Software Update window says you are up-to-date, all available system and software updates have been applied.

Windows users

Check for system updates (Settings>Updates & Security>Windows Update).

Apply any available updates. Plug your computer into a charger while the update is running.

Check for software updates (Microsoft Store>More>Downloads and Updates>Get Updates).

Available updates will appear in the window as a list, apply them to all listed applications.

Linux users

Check for system and software updates.

Users on most popular Linux distributions have two options to check for updates.

Use Update Manager application:

Open up your Update Manager application. You’ll see a list of all available updates in the application window. Run them.

Use the command line:

Open up a Terminal window and run a command to check for updates. The command syntax will be determined by your Linux distribution. Once the update process is complete, restart your computer. Your updates won’t go into effect until you restart the system.