Why delaying software updates could cost you more than you think

When I was growing up, smart devices were the stuff of science fiction. TVs, lightbulbs, and telephones were all straightforward analog gadgets. If you had suggested to my grandmother that she needed to update her TV or lightbulb, she would have assumed you meant buying a new one, not downloading some software patch.

Fast forward to today, and it's a different story. Nearly every electronic device, from your TV to your lightbulb, now has a digital heart that needs regular software updates to keep up with changes in the digital ecosystem and protect against cyber threats.

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I've yet to meet someone who looks forward to software updates. They're time-consuming, often requiring a restart, which means reopening all your apps. Sometimes, they change how things look or work, and occasionally, they just mess everything up.

Updates can also introduce new problems or restrict how you use your devices. Take the recent uproar in the 3D printing community over an update from Bambu Labs. It locked their printers to Bambu's own software, cutting off the use of more popular, open-source alternatives, essentially turning their printers into proprietary gadgets.

Given how annoying updates can be, you might wonder why bother with them at all? If it's not broken, why fix it?

We're All Connected

Here's the deal: we're no longer in a world where devices are isolated. My parents' old 15-inch TV was a standalone unit, relying solely on rabbit ear antennas to catch signals from the three main New York City channels. It had no internet connection because the internet didn't exist back then.

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Contrast that with the Roku my wife and I use in our family room. It's essentially a Linux machine with both Wi-Fi and ethernet, capable of updates, running apps, and even displaying ads. It's not really a TV; it doesn't pick up traditional signals or connect to a cable box. It's an internet terminal that streams car shows and British cozy mysteries to our big screen.

This connectivity extends to everything in our home: smartphones, microwaves, smart assistants like Alexa, computers, 3D printers, routers, thermostats, VR headsets, watches, AirPods, cameras, NAS servers, and even tripods. They all have processors that require regular updates.

These updates can be a real hassle, but they're essential.

How I Learned the Hard Way

I used to be one of those people who avoided updates. My strategy was to wait until the version I was using was a couple of updates old, hoping all the kinks would be ironed out. But life taught me a harsh lesson in 2014 and again in 2016.

In 2014, I managed several WordPress websites. At the time, I wasn't diligent about updates. My wife was showing our business website to a Sam's Club clerk to set up an account when she discovered it was plastered with porn. Getting a text saying, "Our website has been hijacked by nasty porn," is not something you want to experience.

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I hadn't updated the site because it was working fine, so why risk breaking it? But one of the plugins had a vulnerability that hackers exploited, planting malware all over the site. Cleaning it up was a nightmare, and it was entirely my fault.

Fast forward to 2016. I relied on weekly webcasts for my livelihood, which were live and had an audience waiting. Usually, my team and I logged in half an hour early to prepare. But on a rainy April day, I couldn't access the webcasting software. I had clients and an audience of around a thousand waiting. It turned out I hadn't updated the OS on my studio machine, and it was so old that Chrome wouldn't run. Gmail and Google Calendar wouldn't work in Safari either. Google had updated their tools, dropping support for my outdated OS. Just 30 minutes before showtime, everything had stopped working.

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Luckily, I had other up-to-date computers. After a frantic 20 minutes of scrambling and messaging with my team, I managed to get online just in time.

Since then, I've been religious about keeping everything updated. So far, so good.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Here are some risks you can avoid by keeping your devices updated:

• Malware infections: This is a major concern. Hackers constantly look for vulnerabilities to exploit. Many are patched in the latest updates, so not updating leaves you open to attacks.
• Internet connectivity risks: Hackers can target you broadly or specifically. Security cameras are particularly at risk. Remember, hackers aren't just after money; they can also cyber-stalk through poorly updated routers and webcams.
• Property damage risk: Hackers could access your home heater or 3D printer through an un-updated router, potentially causing damage. While rare, it's a real risk.
• Acting as a botnet node: Malware can turn your computer into a botnet node, used for distributed attacks that slow down your system, clog your internet, and could even get you banned or disconnected by your ISP.
• Compatibility issues: Updates help maintain compatibility with other systems and software, preventing last-minute crises and functionality loss (though they can sometimes cause issues, as with Bambu Labs).

I get it; updates can be frustrating. But trust me, skipping them can lead to some very bad days. I've shared my stories with you to help you avoid similar experiences.

Have you ever skipped an update and faced unexpected consequences? Do you wait before installing updates, or do you apply them right away? Have you ever had an update break something critical? What's your biggest frustration with software updates? Let us know in the comments below.

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