Antivirus, Apple, Chromebook, Enterprise, Internet Security, Microsoft, OS X, Windows

5 Reasons to keep your operating system up to date

Many users have developed the bad habit of delaying or ignoring operating systems updates. They see the little pop up…

Many users have developed the bad habit of delaying or ignoring operating systems updates. They see the little pop up reminders and simply hit “postpone” without a second thought. That is until they experience their first major problem with their shiny new PC or laptop!

Instead of putting off important updates, which we all know inevitably pop up at the least opportune times, users should prioritise them. This is not only to keep yourself secure but also it has benefits relating to your computers performance speed.

So, why is it so important to keep your system updated?

 

Security vulnerability fixes

 

The very first reason why new updates constantly appear is to fix security holes. The thing is, no matter how secure an operating system is designed to be, hackers more often than not find ways to exploit systems. Most malicious threats are caused by security flaws that remain unfixed due to a not up-to-date OS.

By ignoring updates, this is the digital equivalent of leaving your doors unlocked and open!

 

Better Functionality

 

An OS update will usually provide its users with new and enhanced features. This might also include processing speed improvements. So, the next time you feel your computer isn’t functioning as good as it used to a few weeks back, all you might have to do is wait for an update!

Other functionality features can include improved web browsers or built in security features such as fingerprint ID or face recognition logins.

 

Bug fixes

 

All software providers, including your OS provider, carry out meticulous checks before selling their products. However, it is only after some time that faults in the source code starts to appear. That is where updates come into play.

By not updating and having these bugs in play, many bad things can potentially happen on your PC. From software simply not working to an entire OS failure at the extreme end of the spectrum!

 

Improvement of Hardware performance

 

OS updates very often bring along driver updates. A driver is a piece of software that allows the operating system to interact with hardware. Depending on the hardware connected to a computer, driver updates might increase the overall performance of your machine, especially when it comes to gaming and connecting to the Wi-Fi.

Although many hardware manufacturers provide driver update capabilities separately, OS providers have improved leaps and bounds in recent years as far as seamlessly providing driver updates is concerned.

 

Avoiding passing a virus to other computers

 

While your computer’s operating system might be relatively immune to different malware, it doesn’t necessarily mean it cannot spread to other devices that are on the same network you are on.

For instance, your Macintosh should be quite safe from cyber attacks however you may easily pass a threat to your friends or colleagues who are on a Windows device if you are sharing a common network.

While an update might not be able to completely prevent such a scenario, it definitely can reduce the risks associated with it.

As well as updating your operating system, make sure you have an anti-virus installed to protect yourself. For more information check our article – Top 5 Antivirus programs for 2018

 

No excuses – Keep your Operating System up to date!

 

Don’t forget, system updates are designed to protect their users from cyber attacks and provide the best performance. Ignoring them might prove critical to the functioning of your device. If you want to ensure best user experience, there really shouldn’t be an excuse to not keep your operating system up to date!

 

 

 

Comments
  • […] Keeping your operating system up to date is every bit as important as keeping your security software up to date. As is the case with security software, many operating system updates are created to combat emerging cyber threats. This means that failing to install them in a timely manner can open you up to a plethora of digital dangers. So the next time your O.S. informs you that updates are available, install them immediately instead of putting them on the backburner. Sure, this may mean not being able to use your computer for several minutes, but this minor annoyance is well worth the heightened security you’ll enjoy as a result. […]

Leave a Reply

Internet Security

Singaporean, 16, under ISA restriction order after being radicalised by far-right extremist ideology

Advertisement Singapore Singaporean teen who identified as white supremacist placed under ISA restrictions for far-right extremism The teenager strongly identified as a white supremacist and aspired to conduct attacks overseas, says the Internal Security Department. File photo of a person using a laptop. (File photo: iStock/Chainarong Prasertthai) New: You can now listen to articles. Sorry

Advertisement

Singapore

Singaporean teen who identified as white supremacist placed under ISA restrictions for far-right extremism

The teenager strongly identified as a white supremacist and aspired to conduct attacks overseas, says the Internal Security Department.

Singaporean teen who identified as white supremacist placed under ISA restrictions for far-right extremism

File photo of a person using a laptop. (File photo: iStock/Chainarong Prasertthai)


New: You can now listen to articles.



Sorry, the audio is unavailable right now.


Please try again later.

This audio is AI-generated.

  • The student is the second Singaporean to be dealt with under the Internal Security Act for being radicalised by far-right extremist ideologies
  • He was exposed to violent extremist material online in 2022 and developed an intense hatred of communities typically targeted by far-right extremists, including African Americans, Arabs and LGBTQ individuals
  • Although he hoped to be recruited for violent attacks overseas, the student did not take steps to actualise his aspirations beyond searching online for weapons

Firdaus Hamzah

Firdaus Hamzah

Firdaus Hamzah

24 Jan 2024 02:00PM
(Updated: 25 Jan 2024 09:42AM)



Bookmark



Bookmark



Share

SINGAPORE: A 16-year-old Singaporean student who was self-radicalised by far-right extremist ideologies has been issued a restriction order under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The teenager, who is of Chinese ethnicity, identified as a white supremacist and aspired to conduct attacks overseas, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Wednesday (Jan 24).

“However, beyond online searches for weapons, he did not take steps to actualise his attack aspirations as he lacked the financial resources and know-how to do so,” ISD said.

It added that he had no plans to conduct any attacks in Singapore.

The student, who was not named, was in Secondary 4 when he was placed under a restriction order in November 2023. This means he is not allowed to travel out of Singapore, access the internet or social media without the approval of the ISD director, among other restrictions.

He is the second Singaporean to be dealt with under the ISA for being radicalised by far-right extremist ideologies.

The first – a 16-year-old Protestant Christian of Indian ethnicity – was detained in December 2020 after planning to attack two mosques in the Woodlands area.

Authorities said at the time that he had made “detailed plans and preparations to conduct terrorist attacks” against Muslims, and that he was influenced by the manifesto of Brenton Tarrant – the man who attacked mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The youth has since been released from detention, ISD said on Wednesday, adding that he had made “good progress” in his rehabilitation and is assessed to no longer pose an imminent security threat.

SELF-RADICALISATION PROCESS

Providing details of the latest case, ISD said the teenager was exposed to violent extremist material online in 2022, after chancing upon videos by American far-right personality Paul Nicholas Miller.

Miller is known for promoting a race war and espouses white supremacist and neo-Nazi rhetoric. He has been tied to multiple far-right extremist organisations overseas, including the Proud Boys and the Boogaloo movement.

By early 2023, the teenager had developed an intense hatred of communities typically targeted by far-right extremists, including African Americans, Arabs and LGBTQ individuals, said ISD.

“Fuelled by online extremist rhetoric, he came to believe that African Americans were responsible for a significant percentage of crime in the United States, and deserved to ‘die a horrible death’,” it added.

“He also perceived illegal Arab immigrants as having committed violent attacks against white populations in Western countries.”

ISD said the teenager subscribed to the Great Replacement Theory commonly referenced by far-right terrorists like the Christchurch attacker, which propagated the idea that the indigenous white population in Western countries were in danger of being replaced by non-white immigrants. 

“Such ethno-nationalist beliefs convinced him that non-white communities such as African Americans and Arabs should be driven away from white-majority countries,” said ISD. 

“The youth participated in several far-right online chat groups and channels, where he shared violent anti-African American videos, as doing so gave him a sense of belonging to the white supremacist community.” 

When asked how this case came to light, ISD told CNA it was unable to comment due to operational concerns. 

It added that the ISA remains a “relevant and effective legislative tool” that allows for pre-emptive action to be taken to neutralise any security threats, such as in the case of the two youths.

“Regardless of the cause or extremist ideology involved, the authorities will not hesitate to take actions against any Singaporean or person residing in Singapore who supports, engages in, or attempts to engage in, armed violence,” it said. 

Growing concern with youth radicalism, terrorism threat to Singapore remains high: ISD

Terrorist groups increasingly targeting youths, Singapore a ‘prized target’: DPM Wong

ASPIRATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN ATTACKS

According to the ISD, the teenager had hoped to be recruited for violent attacks by white supremacist groups overseas to “fight for the whites”.

He considered travelling to countries such as France, Italy, the US and Russia to participate in attacks against his “vilified communities”.

“Specifically, he shared his interest to conduct a mass shooting in the US in 10 years’ time in a far-right online chat group,” said the ISD.

The agency added that while he searched online for weapons, he did not take steps to actualise his attack aspirations as he lacked the financial resources and know-how to do so. 

“The youth had no plans to conduct any attacks locally, as he felt that these communities had not caused trouble in Singapore,” said ISD.

“There was no indication that the youth had tried to influence his family or friends with his violent extremist views, nor were they aware of his attack ideations.”

Vital to have a capable and vigilant Internal Security Department to protect Singapore: PM Lee

The road to redemption: How two radica

Read More

Continue Reading
Apple

“14 Weeks And Still Dominating” – Buju BNXN Brags As He Remains On Apple Music

Nigerian singer, BNXN, formerly known as Buju, has taken to social media to brag about his achievement on Apple Music. Buju BNXN celebrated the enduring success of his debut album, ‘Sincerely, Benson,’ as it continues to maintain a strong position on the Apple Music Top 10 charts for an impressive 14 weeks The singer shared

Nigerian singer, BNXN, formerly known as Buju, has taken to social media to brag about his achievement on Apple Music. Buju BNXN celebrated the enduring success of his debut album, ‘Sincerely, Benson,’ as it continues to maintain a strong position on the Apple Music Top 10 charts for an impressive 14 weeks The singer shared [……
Read More

Continue Reading
Antivirus

Feds bust two fake antivirus sellers for millions in fraud

If you frequent certain portions of the internet, you’ve almost certainly seen pop-ups warning you that your PC is infested with all manner of creepy-crawly viruses. The ad is fake, and so is the software that it asks you to pay for, according to a new Federal Trade Commission lawsuit against a pair of phony

If you frequent certain portions of the internet, you’ve almost certainly seen pop-ups warning you that your PC is infested with all manner of creepy-crawly viruses. The ad is fake, and so is the software that it asks you to pay for, according to a new Federal Trade Commission lawsuit against a pair of phony antivirus sellers…
Read More

Continue Reading
Apple

Apple Cider Vinegar: See Netflix drama’s plot, cast, episode count and more

Apple Cider Vinegar” unfolds during the emergence of social media, tracking the journey of two young women battling life-threatening illnesses through wellness. The series explores their influence on growing online communities, adding a twist to reality…

Apple Cider Vinegar” unfolds during the emergence of social media, tracking the journey of two young women battling life-threatening illnesses through wellness. The series explores their influence on growing online communities, adding a twist to reality…
Read More

Continue Reading