Advice Request Do you allow auto updates of your installed software?

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I do not have a single software capable of auto-updating itself and I honestly I do not recall any.
Most just auto-checks for the newest version and that is hardly worth allowing it in the firewall.
I use Softpedia to be notified about the latest versions, it lists like 99% of known software.
 
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Guys, I just don't get it. What's the difference if your software updates by itself, or by an app such as Sumo? It will be downloading the same file from the same source.

I understand that you might not want driver updates for your graphics card, because they might be the wrong driver And I understand that you might not want half-baked Windows updates, because you prefer that someone else be the guinea pig.

But what's wrong with letting your regular software update itself?
 
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shmu26 said:
Guys, I just don't get it. What's the difference if your software updates by itself, or by an app such as Sumo? It will be downloading the same file from the same source.

I understand that you might not want driver updates for your graphics card, because they might be the wrong driver And I understand that you might not want half-baked Windows updates, because you prefer that someone else be the guinea pig.

But what's wrong with letting your regular software update itself?
Click to expand...

For me, its about having control over my machine. I like to choose what I update and when. I also don't want something auto installing/updating itself without my knowledge. I use my machine for work every single day so keeping things stable, secure and predictable is important for me.
 
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ParaXY said:
For me, its about having control over my machine. I like to choose what I update and when. I also don't want something auto installing/updating itself without my knowledge. I use my machine for work every single day so keeping things stable, secure and predictable is important for me.
Click to expand...
Makes sense, thanks.
 
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shmu26 said:
What's the difference if your software updates by itself, or by an app such as Sumo?
Click to expand...
I am not going to buy a software to update software. It might be convenient, but it is hardly worth it, to me.
Sometimes I skip updating the software, unless it is like flash or PDF, which could be fixing vulnerabilities.
 
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OS => automatic
Store apps => automatic
Win32 apps => automatic
Browsers => automatic
Steam games => automatic
Portable apps => manual
Android apps => manual
iOS apps => manual
Console => automatic
TV => automatic
Cast/FireTV => automatic
 
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I have locked my machine down now so that updates can only be done using SUMo manually. I have also disabled checking/installing of updates in each app where I can.

Interestingly, despite doing this in PotPlayer, every time I launch PotPlayer, it attempts to make a few connections to various internet addresses. I'm not even launching a video, just opening the app. Telemetry I guess.
 
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Why does systemsettings.exe try to connect to the internet every time I go in Settings?
 
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shmu26 said:
Guys, I just don't get it. What's the difference if your software updates by itself, or by an app such as Sumo? It will be downloading the same file from the same source.

I understand that you might not want driver updates for your graphics card, because they might be the wrong driver And I understand that you might not want half-baked Windows updates, because you prefer that someone else be the guinea pig.

But what's wrong with letting your regular software update itself?
Click to expand...
Well, SUMo doesn't actually update your softwares it just checks if there are updates available for them.

Don't know if this is true. But Heimdal has an article in which they claimed updating through their software is safer.

Security Alert: Criminals Slip Backdoor in CCleaner to Spread Malware

-Details about the CCleaner update delivered through Heimdal products

"The way Heimdal delivers the patch does not also involve executing any code. Therefore the backdoor is never opened. In the case of the CCleaner patch, no malicious connections were made."
 
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I think the free version of SUMo checks if there is an update available only. This is perfect for me as I will usually download the update from the developers website, check the hash, check its digitally signed and possibly upload to VirusTotal if I am still feeling unsure.

I don't want anything automatically updated except for Firefox and Chrome.
 
TairikuOkami said:
I am not going to buy a software to update software. It might be convenient, but it is hardly worth it, to me.
Sometimes I skip updating the software, unless it is like flash or PDF, which could be fixing vulnerabilities.
Click to expand...
SUMo is freeware
 
TairikuOkami said:
Only paid version auto-updates (probably), free version just notifies about updates.
I used Sumo before, but 5 clicks with ADs just to get to the download link is too much.
Click to expand...
Simply check if your software need updating with SUMo. And then go the developer's website yourself and download it.
 
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I allow the program to automatically download the updates but prompt me before updating. This gives me the notification of a new update but a chance to take a look at the update before allowing it on my system
 
TairikuOkami said:
Only paid version auto-updates (probably)
Click to expand...
It only updates itself to the latest version. You still have to manually download and run the installers for any software you want to update.
KC Softwares
Automatic self-update (PRO only)
Direct access to software developer's web site (PRO only)
Click to expand...
 
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