Imagine opening it computer you to work or make an important online transaction and suddenly you see the “blue screen of death” in front of you. what are you doing
The blue screen of death can occur when upgrades/updates cause conflicts or errors in the Windows operating system.
Nowadays, such situations can have serious consequences, points out the team of the global security software company ESET.
Indeed, in mid-July, a seemingly simple upgrade by the company CrowdStrike caused widespread crises worldwide. The flawed update appears to have created serious problems, affecting the operation of airports, logistics companies, TV channels, banks and even scheduled surgeries.
This incident highlights the importance of software updates and the risks that can arise from faulty or poorly tested upgrades, warns the ESET team.
What is the blue screen of death?
The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) or Blue Screen Error is a critical screen that appears in Windows when the system is experiencing a serious problem. This can be caused by anything: faulty hardware, outdated drivers, serious system errors, or malware.
The appearance of the blue screen means that Windows is shutting down to prevent further damage. Along with the blue screen is a stop code and possibly a QR code and reboot to prevent damage to your system.
Although the blue screen error is a sign that something has gone wrong with your machine, it is better not to panic and refer to Microsoft’s instructions. Most of the time, the problem is fixed and you can take steps to avoid it in the future.
Additionally, a blue screen error can also be seen as a reminder of the importance of updating your software and devices.
The role of software updates
Every application needs to be updated, as does the operating system and firmware, a special type of software attached to the device’s hardware. Although these updates are something that often causes us a little discomfort it is necessary for many reasons.
Most importantly, they help keep you (and your company) safer. No software is perfect and is often found to contain bugs, such as vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. It is also well documented that unpatched vulnerabilities are the source of a large percentage of breaches.
This is why patches, sent by software manufacturers either at regular intervals or as needed, are so important. Last year, more than 29,000 vulnerabilities were reported, up from about 25,000 the year before.
In addition to helping you stay safe from threats to your personal and financial data, software updates play a critical role in maintaining the overall health of your device. They go beyond security fixes and also address a range of issues, bugs and glitches, add new features and functionality, improve your device’s battery life and boost system performance.
The risks of software updates
Most importantly, the benefits outweigh any potential risks – by a large margin. However, software updates may cause new issues. For example, they may occasionally cause conflicts or unexpected interactions with existing applications or system software, or may not always work well with older hardware components. They can also affect system stability, potentially leading to crashes and eventually even resets that provide a safety net if a recent update has caused problems.
Ironically, the updates themselves may introduce new security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers before they are patched in subsequent updates. Also, and as ESET research has repeatedly shown (here is a recent example), cybercriminals can subvert the update mechanism itself to distribute fake updates.
Final thoughts
Software rules the world these days, and keeping your software up to date is one of the most effective strategies for protecting your digital life. When doing this, remember to download updates from official sources and not by clicking on email links or advertisements. And the next time you’re tempted to ignore or delay installing software updates, remember why they’re so necessary in the first place.