Reasons Why You Should Always Update Antivirus Software

Yes, taking the time to keep your Antivirus software up-to-date is really worth it.

Tell me if you have ever found yourself in this cycle: you sit in front of your computer, ready to face the day, and that little notification appears trying to update your Antivirus software. Aware of the moment you foolishly clicked  that button, only to have to figure out what to do with the next hour of your life while your computer was completely installing a new operating system (and you were definitely late for a Zoom call), click in "Remind me later".

Then you click on it again, "later." 

And again.

You keep clicking until it mysteriously stops bothering you. "Phew!" You believe But just because it's no longer showing up, it doesn't mean there isn't an update that needs to be done yet. And that update could be the last thing that stands between you and a cyber attack.

Yes, sorry to inform you, but those Antivirus software updates aren't just for fun. They are actually essential not only to keep your machine running smoothly, but also to protect it against cyber attacks, malware, and other security holes. Here are three reasons why you really shouldn't ignore those Antivirus software updates.

1. They may be fixing Antivirus software bugs.

Imagine that you are reaching the end of a week-long work project and everything falls apart. Scary, right? This is why you should make sure to update your Antivirus software. If your computer or other device has a bug that a Antivirus software update doesn't fix, it can crash your entire system. 

On a less dramatic level, neglecting application updates can cause them to malfunction or crash. While that's usually annoying, rather than catastrophic, it's still not worth the headache. Update your Antivirus software!

2. They protect against malware.

Cybercriminals work 24/7 to find loopholes in popular Antivirus software that they can  exploit . And do you know what they do when they find one of those holes? Explode them! 

While some malware , such as  phishing or incomplete file download, is acquired from an action performed by the user, other types specifically exploit the human weakness of hating to update our Antivirus software. Trust that the company that made your device is trying to fix those security gaps as soon as they find them and update their Antivirus software.

3. It could protect you against identity theft.

One of the most important things cybercriminals try when they try to break into your device is steal personal information. We are talking not only about credit card numbers, but also about social security information, addresses, passport numbers, licenses ... Collectively, we store so much  personal information in the cloud that it is now practically irresistible to thieves.

Regularly updating your Antivirus software is a quick and easy way to protect against identity theft  , which is an increasingly difficult task these days. Will it fully protect you? Of course, no. But why risk it?

Getting stuck with a Antivirus software update when you're supposed to be working is undeniably a pain. But trust us, the pain will be greater if you don't. Even if you can't do it in the morning when you get the first notification, set a reminder for the end of the day. You will not regret.