I believe that Windows Update should be enabled and that it is best to keep software up-to-date, but I don't think it is always a good idea to just update without waiting beforehand. I've never been hit with an update which caused really bad damage (thanks to having back-ups), but I have done updates and then been put into a non-voluntary boot-loop, requiring an OS re-installation (this takes time because then you have to re-do the updates again and then you can go back into the boot-loop if the update behaves faulty again).
When we look at malware attacks, CCleaner was attacked recently for the 32-bit compiled version. People who had the latest update installed before others were at the potential centre point to becoming affected more than others. This doesn't mean I disagree the latest updates should be installed, I think they should, hopefully you will see my point though.
I don't think it is a good idea for one to not install updates period, but I can understand at the same time why this may be the case for some. It is not unknown that some companies are using older versions of Windows in their enterprise, but the reason for this may be because software being used is not supported on modern versions; general updates to an OS can cause things to break as well, and if the systems need to be used a lot or even on most of the time, it is crucial that updates are assessed in-case they can cause a big problem. The solution for them is to get the software they are using to be compatible with newer versions of Windows or after an update and to ensure the systems do become updated (because they will be more secure this way and the risk of being hit by an attack relying on an old exploit and it being successful becomes decreased), therefore I am not saying it is "acceptable" to not stay updated (of course this is bad for security).
Generally speaking, I think the latest updates should be installed, especially if they are security-related. Updates issued to patch known vulnerabilities are important because it closes off an attack vector, but the same updates will potentially introduce other attack vectors which will be found in time. Despite me thinking the latest updates should be installed, I think it is perfectly reasonable for one to wait X amount of time before going ahead with the update (e.g. waiting a week or two in-case the update has many issues which could potentially disrupt their work flow/performance or cause lots of hassle for them).
From a security point of view, of course updates should be installed; from a reliability point of view, I think that waiting a week or a few isn't all that bad depending on what the update being issued is for. I haven't installed the latest Fall Creators Update yet (even though it rolled out for me and is ready to be sorted out now) simply because I have a lot of work to get done and if there is a problem after installation which forces me to spend time resolving it out, or gets in the way of getting my work done, then I'll be behind schedule and my life becomes harder. Does this mean I won't update any-time soon? No. I'll update in a few days or a weeks time depending on my situation, and keep lurking and seeing what issues are being reported/fixed in the mean-time.
Carelessly updating can cause more problems than solved, but not always. Updating in general is an important thing to ensure you have the latest security patches installed though, thus keeping you safer.
When we look at malware attacks, CCleaner was attacked recently for the 32-bit compiled version. People who had the latest update installed before others were at the potential centre point to becoming affected more than others. This doesn't mean I disagree the latest updates should be installed, I think they should, hopefully you will see my point though.
I don't think it is a good idea for one to not install updates period, but I can understand at the same time why this may be the case for some. It is not unknown that some companies are using older versions of Windows in their enterprise, but the reason for this may be because software being used is not supported on modern versions; general updates to an OS can cause things to break as well, and if the systems need to be used a lot or even on most of the time, it is crucial that updates are assessed in-case they can cause a big problem. The solution for them is to get the software they are using to be compatible with newer versions of Windows or after an update and to ensure the systems do become updated (because they will be more secure this way and the risk of being hit by an attack relying on an old exploit and it being successful becomes decreased), therefore I am not saying it is "acceptable" to not stay updated (of course this is bad for security).
Generally speaking, I think the latest updates should be installed, especially if they are security-related. Updates issued to patch known vulnerabilities are important because it closes off an attack vector, but the same updates will potentially introduce other attack vectors which will be found in time. Despite me thinking the latest updates should be installed, I think it is perfectly reasonable for one to wait X amount of time before going ahead with the update (e.g. waiting a week or two in-case the update has many issues which could potentially disrupt their work flow/performance or cause lots of hassle for them).
From a security point of view, of course updates should be installed; from a reliability point of view, I think that waiting a week or a few isn't all that bad depending on what the update being issued is for. I haven't installed the latest Fall Creators Update yet (even though it rolled out for me and is ready to be sorted out now) simply because I have a lot of work to get done and if there is a problem after installation which forces me to spend time resolving it out, or gets in the way of getting my work done, then I'll be behind schedule and my life becomes harder. Does this mean I won't update any-time soon? No. I'll update in a few days or a weeks time depending on my situation, and keep lurking and seeing what issues are being reported/fixed in the mean-time.
Carelessly updating can cause more problems than solved, but not always. Updating in general is an important thing to ensure you have the latest security patches installed though, thus keeping you safer.
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