Six Zero-Days, One Update Button

Last week, Microsoft dropped its February Patch Tuesday update. Fifty-four vulnerabilities fixed. Six of them were zero-days — meaning hackers were already using them before the patch existed.

Let that sink in. Six doors were wide open, and the bad guys already had the keys.

Here's what bugs me: most small businesses I talk to treat Windows updates like that weird noise their car makes. "It's probably fine. I'll deal with it later." Later turns into never, and next thing you know, someone in accounting clicks a link and your whole file server is speaking Russian.

These weren't exotic, nation-state-level exploits either. They hit Windows, Office, and Azure — the stuff you use every single day. The stuff your receptionist uses. The stuff your QuickBooks runs on.

The fix? It's literally one button. Start menu, "Check for updates," go get coffee. That's it. Your IT person (hi, that could be us) can even automate it so you never have to think about it.

I get it — updates are annoying. They restart your computer at the worst possible time. But you know what's more annoying? Explaining to your customers why their data is on a hacker forum.

Patch your stuff. This week. Not next month.

Sparrowhawk Technology — Making your technology safe and easy to use.