CYBER Streetwise is urging people and businesses across Surrey to always download the latest software and app updates as soon as they are available.

Software and app updates contain vital security upgrades which protect devices from viruses and hackers. They are, according to CESG, the most important action people and businesses can take to protect themselves from cybercrime.

GCHQ’s cyber security arm, CESG, strongly recommends that individuals and businesses regularly update software on all devices that use the internet to allow the latest security updates to be installed.

The latest Government stats, from Ipsos MORI, reveal that the majority of people in the South East don’t always download the latest software updates for their mobile phone (68 per cent) or for their computer (64 per cent), as soon as they are available.

The most common reason respondents gave was that it was ‘too time consuming’.

Yet it only takes a few minutes to download software and app updates versus the time it can take to recover from a cyber hack. This is why Cyber Streetwise is launching #quickup

dates.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Dave Hull, from Surrey and Sussex Cyber Crime Unit, said: “We are working hard to prevent cybercrime in Surrey and we would urge all our residents and businesses to download the latest software updates from verified vendors to protect against viruses and hackers.

“Simple cyber security techniques such as this can make it extremely difficult for an attacker to obtain data or compromise systems. Software updates address security vulnerabilities and are designed to plug the gaps which hackers exploit to gain access.

“Anyone who goes online is a potential target and the consequences of not taking appropriate security steps could be potentially devastating to the reputation of companies and/or individuals and their financial future.”

To find out more, including how to set your device to that it automatically downloads the latest software updates visit www.

cyberstreetwise.com/soft

ware-updates.