How to Keep Business Software Updated (And Why It Could Save You From a Cyber Attack)
For small businesses, cyber threats aren’t some far-off worry—they’re a real, daily risk. In fact, 62% of Australian small businesses have already experienced a cyber incident. And while many people imagine elite hackers cracking complex firewalls, the truth is: most attacks start with something far simpler—outdated software.
If your devices aren’t up to date, you’re basically leaving the doors unlocked. Cybercriminals look for known vulnerabilities in old software and pounce before patches are applied. It’s one of the most common entry points, and yet one of the easiest to fix.
Why Updating Software Matters
Every time a tech company releases an update, it’s not just about new features—it’s often patching security flaws that hackers have already started exploiting.
Unfortunately, many small business owners don’t realise their systems are out of date. According to the ACSC, 1 in 4 businesses are still using operating systems like Windows 7, which stopped receiving security updates years ago. That’s like driving without brakes.
Think of updates like brushing your teeth. Skipping it once might not be a disaster—but skip it regularly, and it guarantees trouble.
How to Keep Software Updated Automatically
✅ Turn on automatic updates for all your devices and apps
Make this your first step—it takes 2 minutes and protects you instantly.
Windows: Settings → Windows Update → Enable automatic updates
Mac: System Settings → General → Software Update → “Automatically keep my Mac up to date”
iPhone/Android: Head to your App Store settings and turn on auto-updates
✅ Check that your devices aren’t running outdated operating systems
Some older systems are no longer supported—meaning no more security fixes, ever.
If you're still on Windows 7 or MacOS High Sierra, it's time to upgrade.
✅ Use automatic updaters to do the heavy lifting
Manual updates are easy to forget—so let software do it for you.
🛠 Tools we recommend:
Ninite – Great for solo business owners or small teams
Select the apps you use (e.g., Chrome, Zoom, Adobe Reader)
Download one installer
Run it anytime to silently update everything
Perfect for setting up new computers too
Patch My PC – For those managing a few Windows PCs
Scans your system for outdated apps
Automatically updates them
Can run in the background and alert you when needed
🧠 Isn’t it better to update software manually so I stay in control?
Actually, automatic updates reduce the risk of human error. If your apps and systems update themselves, you don’t have to rely on memory—and that’s one less way a hacker can sneak in.
Your Software Might Be Up to Date, But Is Your Team?
You can have the latest tech, the best antivirus, and all the updates in place—but if someone on your team clicks a dodgy link, it can all come crashing down.
That’s why training your team is just as important as updating your systems.
At CyberBites, we help small business teams stay alert, not anxious—with bite-sized cyber training made for real people, not IT pros.
💡 Want early access to our cyber training program?
👉 Join the waitlist here
No jargon. No boring slides. Just practical tips your team will actually remember.