Is it Time to Update Your Smart Device?

Why you should (or shouldn’t) update your smart devices

Obsolescence rears its ugly head the moment you’ve made the last payment on that smart phone, doesn’t it? Like pimples on a pre-pubescent, it’s inevitable your smartphone, laptop, or hard drive begins it’s slow demise. Is it time to ditch that cracked phone you’ve dropped one to many times for that shiny new one serendipitously advertised on your favorite social feed?

Pros and cons of updating your smart devices to the latest version

There’s no doubt that iPhones and other smart devices work hard to make sure that the latest updates are well-received by users. However, there are some people who still prefer to avoid updating their device to the latest version because of the risks and hassle involved.

Pros of updating your smart devices to the latest version:

• New features and options – If you stick with your older version, many of your programs (especially on your smart phone) may no longer work or you’ll see delays in tasks you took for granted.
• Security – If you leave your laptop on, never updating it to the latest security patches, you are leaving yourself (and your company) at the mercy of hackers and phishing attacks.
• Bug Fixes –  If you don’t update the device, vulnerabilities remain unpatched. This can leave you at risk of being hacked if you are targeted.
• Battery Life – While many smart devices are designed to track your activity and exercise, the more you use them, the shorter their battery life. Newer models are designed with better batteries and efficient code to help extend their battery life.

Cons of updating your smart devices to the latest version:

• Cost – Many people don’t want to pay for a feature that they aren’t using. If you’re not using a feature, it’s an easy way to save some money.
• Time – It takes time to update all of your devices, especially if your devices are older models.
• Privacy – New updates may contain new terms of service that you may not be aware of, especially if you are not a regular internet user. If you agree to the updates, you can lose some privacy over your data and online activities.

What Should I Do?

If you are unsure, restart your smart device before the update is installed. This will give you a chance to read through the terms of service and decide whether or not it’s worth updating. If you decide that it is, then follow the instructions for your specific device. Lastly, if you’re trading your smart devices corporate-wide, make it a best-practice to have old devices turned into a NAID certified facility like Ship n Destroy to securely destroy your smart devices, computers and hard drive destruction to minimize risk of a security breach.

Visit https://shipndestroy.com to learn how easy it is to securely destroy your devices.