Why You Should Update Your Web Browser

For better security and a faster browsing experience, make sure your browser is up-to-date

We’ve all been there. You open up your web browser to answer emails or check Facebook, but before you can begin, a pop-up appears—a notification that there is a  newer version of your browser available. Maybe you are in a rush, or maybe you just can’t be bothered right now, so you click “Remind Me Tomorrow.”

Tomorrow comes, and you ignore the notification again. And again. And again.

Keeping up with browser updates may feel like a chore, but when you run an outdated version of your web browser, you are not getting the most out of your browsing  experience. Even worse, you may be opening yourself up to security risks that could seriously harm your computer.

Here are just a few reasons why you should always select “Update Now” on those annoying pop-ups:

Safer Scrolling

Out-of-date web browsers can contain security vulnerabilities. Running a compromised browser puts your computer at risk of being accessed by hackers who could record and share your data—from emails to bank details and all sorts of other sensitive information.

If your computer is compromised, you also risk being used as a middleman in larger hacking schemes. Without you even knowing, criminals can use your computer to send out thousands of spam emails every day.

Website Compatibility

Now more than ever, many web designers are taking advantage of features like HTML5 video and audio and advanced CSS styling. These technologies make for a more streamlined and visually stunning website, but they also have a downside: they are often only supported by newer browsers.

As businesses utilize these new technologies, your out-of-date browser may not be able to load and display parts of their websites. In other words, if you don’t use the  latest version of your web browser, you’ll miss out on the best features the internet has to offer.

Quick Tip: Staying on top of browser updates will only do so much if you are not using the right browser to begin with. While everybody has their own browser preferences, we recommend Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Internet Explorer is not compatible with many new websites—like RTC.coop!

Better, Faster, Stronger

Finally, an updated browser makes for a faster browsing experience. With every web page that you open, you are asking your browser to perform a number of different  tasks. One of those tasks is downloading component files, which include images and programming scripts. Outdated browsers perform these tasks much slower than  new browsers, which can affect your browsing experience and cause your browser to crash.

It’s been said that your browser is your “window to the web.” So think about regularly updating your web browser like washing your windows: it may feel like a chore  in the moment, but when you’re finished, you can enjoy a much better view.