Do you update your security products and other software when prompted? We do, but many people globally do not, thus unnecessarily exposing their equipment to cyber criminals, viruses, trojans, and other malware, as well as missing out on bug fixes.
Skype has launched the International Technology Upgrade Week (ITUW), a global initiative joined by Norton by Symantec and TomTom to encourage consumers to regularly download free software updates to their computers, smartphones and tablets and other portable devices, likeGPS units.
The prime focus of International Technology Upgrade Week is to directly address consumers’ concerns and educate them on the value of keeping their software up to date, especially when many updates are free.
Need is apparent: many don’t update
The need for this initiative is readily apparent, as a recent survey of American, British and German consumers revealed that 40 percent of adults don’t always update software on their computers when initially prompted to do so.
In each country, approximately one quarter of those surveyed said they don’t clearly understand what software updates do and an equal percentage of consumers don’t understand the benefits of updating regularly.
In looking at the impact of automatic update notifications, the survey found that while three quarters of adults received notifications on their computers telling them to update their software, more than half said they needed to see a prompt between two and five times before downloading and installing an update.
Even for those consumers who recognized the benefits of upgrading, one quarter didn’t know how to check if their installed software even needs updating.
“Here at Skype, we are constantly getting feedback from our users and making improvements to Skype every day,” said Linda Summers, Director of Product Marketing at Skype.
“Only by regularly upgrading, are consumers able to enjoy the benefits of improved voice and video calling quality, longer mobile battery life and bug fixes, in addition to new features that we regularly add across our product portfolio, like Photo Sharing on mobile, or Group Video Calling and Group Screen Sharing on a computer.”
Symantec, the maker of Norton security software, recently reported blocking more than 5.5 billion malicious attacks in 2011, an increase of 81 percent over the previous year.
Having the protection of a powerful security suite in this environment is essential – regardless of device or platform.
Consumer Insights
Across all regions surveyed, more men than women upgrade software when prompted to and said that they have updated software within the last week.
When asked for their top reasons for either downloading or not downloading updates, consumers across geographies offered the following responses:
|
Top Reasons for Updating |
Top Reasons for Not Updating |
| Keeping computers safe from viruses/hackers | Worried about computer security, so I don’t download everything I’m prompted to |
| Ensures software is free of bugs and crashes less often | There are no real benefits in doing it |
| Having the latest and greatest software features | Upgrades take too long |
| Upgrades are often free | Lack of understanding about what the update(s) will do |
Related Stories:
- Nearly 80 percent of firms need to update XP SP2
- Microsoft to offer free upgrades to PC buyers before Oct. release
- Microsoft’s free antivirus available now
- Five tips for safer online shopping during the holidays
- Record number of Microsoft patches coming next week
© 2012, TechJournal. All rights reserved.
Tags: Best Practices, International Upgrade Week, Norton, Skype, software update survey, Symantec, Tom Tom
