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Inside the Machine G3 to G5 / Week 11 / Tuesday
2/6
Week 11 · Keeping information safe

Tuesday

Updates close the holes
// Locks, copies and tricky messages
⏱ about 15 min

Tuesday: Updates close the holes

A laptop at the bench keeps showing a small message. Update available. "I always tap Later," says Rocket. "Updates take forever and change things."

Raven reads the message closely. "What do you notice about the words? It says this update fixes a security problem."

Nova spins slowly. "Would you like a hint? Imagine a fence with a small hole. Who finds the hole first, the owner or a sneaky fox?"

Software has holes

Software is written by people. People make mistakes. Some mistakes leave small holes that let a stranger sneak in.

The people who make the software hunt for holes. When they find one, they write a fix. That fix is an update.

An update often adds new features too. But the quiet part, the security fix, is the important part.

Tapping Later leaves the hole open. The longer it stays open, the more people learn about it.

How to update safely

Updates are on the safe fix list, with one rule. A grown-up does them with you.

Updates can take a while. The device may restart on its own. Save your work first, and keep the device plugged in.

A grown-up checks that the update comes from the device itself. Web pages and messages do not count.

  1. Notice the update message and read it.
  2. Tell a grown-up and show them the message.
  3. Save your work and close your apps.
  4. The grown-up starts the update and keeps the device plugged in.
  5. Wait for it to finish, then check that your apps still open.
PUT THE SAFE UPDATE STEPS IN ORDER.
  • ?Wait and then check your apps
  • ?Grown-up starts the update
  • ?Tell a grown-up
  • ?Read the update message
  • ?Save your work
WHY THIS EXERCISESaving before an update protects your work. A grown-up handles the plug and the start.

Real updates and fake ones

A real update comes from the device settings or its built-in app store. It does not shout.

A fake update pops up on a web page. It uses big red letters. It says hurry, your device is in danger.

Fake updates are a kind of tricky message. Tapping one can install something bad. You will learn more about them on Thursday.

The safe rule is simple. If a message asks you to install something, stop and tell a grown-up.

SignReal updateFake update
Where it appearsDevice settingsA web page or pop-up
How it soundsCalm and plainLoud, scary, hurry
What it asksInstall with a restartTap now or tap a strange link
REAL OR FAKE?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
A calm message in Settings says an update is ready. What is it?
A web page flashes red: your device is in danger, tap now! What is it?
Who starts the update on a device?
What is the quiet, important part of most updates?
A mistake in software that lets a stranger in is called a what? One word.
What should you do with your work before an update starts?
A fake update often appears where?
StatementTrue or false?
Tapping Later leaves a hole open longer.?
Real updates come from the device settings.?
A kid should install any update a web page offers.?
Updates never need a restart.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEKnowing the difference keeps the fence strong and the fox out.
For a grown-up
Show your child where updates appear on one device at home.
Explain that you will do updates together, and that pop-ups are never updates.
Keep the device plugged in during an update so it does not stop halfway.

Well done! You know why updates matter and how to do them safely. Tomorrow you will learn how a backup saves the day when a device is lost.

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