INSTALLATION OF NEW OR UPGRADED SOFTWARE (P1).
Anyone who uses software has encountered prompts to update or upgrade of
that software. Before the user install any updates and upgrades, he must read
information issued with specific update or upgrade in order to make sure that
software update or upgrade is compatible with his computer and its operating
system. There are variety of reasons that would prompts software user to install
or upgrade his software, these are as follows:
Old software creates huge security hole.
This is the one of the common reasons of prompts that initiate installation of new
or upgraded software. We need to upgrade to new software because old software
creates security risks since is not longer supported and maintained. For example,
software like windows XP operating system is no longer supported by Microsoft,
there is no ongoing updates, if hackers find out the way to compromise operating
system, the users who use that operating system will be affected since they will
steal their privacy information or can cause downtime to the company who use
that operating system. That’s why there are software upgrades and updates
which help to fix that problem. If the user doesn’t upgrade to the new version,
this will increase the chance if happening since that software version is no longer
supported and maintained. Outdated software doesn’t have updates, if
vulneraries are found, then the user can get more advanced cyber-attacks.
External prompts (bug fixes).
Bugs are errors in the software which can cause faults to the computer. The faults
which can be caused by bugs are programs failed to run, computer turned off and
crashes. Software updates are released by software vendors to resolves identified
issues. Security bugs may always exist as long as software might not be forever.
There are two types of bugs, Known bugs and Unknown bugs. In order these bugs
to be fixed, software upgrades are released to resolve any bugs identified. For
examples, windows operating system is usually upgraded to a new version, these
new versions are released once known bugs resolved, upgrading to a new version
,can helps to resolved issues and also comes up with new features which can
increase the functionality and efficiency of the software.
Additional functionality required.
This is another reason that initiate the installation of new or upgraded version of
the software. Always computer users install software for the purpose. When
software upgraded to a new version, additional features are added which can
increase efficiency and functionality of the program. For example, like remote
access is the common feature in the software, this help the software user to
access the software in his computer by using his phone, once the gain remotely
access, every changes made will be present on his computer. Since user install
software for a purpose, these additional functionality from upgraded version
versions will help users to fit their purposes.
Company policy.
A reason that initiate user in a company to install new upgraded software version
is company policy. This is because some companies need to be up to date with
the software they use. This will help them to fits their needs and run their
computer system efficiency. Company may want latest version of the software in
order to get latest features and versions. For example, like Modern college of
business and science have latest version of windows operating system in order to
stay up to date which can help in competitive advantages. Whatever new
software version is released, the new software is planed out and managed before
installing so it doesn’t affect the operation of the company.
Generally, There are varieties of prompts that initiate the installation of new or
upgraded software.
, DESCRIBE THE POTENTIAL RISKS OF INSTALLING AND
UPGRADING SOFTWARE (P2).
Always there will be risks when installing or upgrading a piece of software that we
must be aware of. It is important to make a plan on how to minimize these risks
before you make installation or upgrade of the software. This will help to get
prepared of these risks once the disasters occur. The following are potential risks
that might occur while installing or upgrading software.
Potential loss of services.
When installing or upgrading software, there will be a special time that computer
will be inactive while the program installs. Some programs, it takes up to one hour
to get installed. While installing program, you might lost access to some features
of the computer. For Example, when installing Flash player, Internet browsers
must be closed to help the installation flash player. This will an effect on you
when you are providing services online or when you are working online on
different websites. Another example, when you are doing research on internet,
you will lose that services when you begin installing program since some
programs while installing doesn’t give you access to the features of the program,
you must wait until installation ends, This will cost you since you will lose other
services that you are working with. Also, organizations like MCBS, installation of
program in working hours will cost them since special time required for
installation, this will stop them from providing services to the students or visitors
with in installation period of time.
Incompatibilities issues.
Incompatibilities is the one of the biggest risks for a novice computer user who
don’t know what he/she is doing. The user might click to the wrong version option
while installing or upgrading software. Once installation ends, the software might
stop working since the software is incompatible, Incompability of the software
can be because may be the installed software is not compatible to the operating
system that he/she use or may be the software is incompatible with the hardware