Update your browsers to fill in the gaps
Update your internet browser regularly to fix security gaps and reduce the risk of scammers slipping through.
Keeping your internet browser up to date is one of the simplest ways to stay safe online. These updates don’t just improve your browsing experience, they also fix security gaps that cyber criminals could use to steal your information or access University systems.
The good news is that most browsers update automatically in the background, but if you haven’t closed your browser or restarted your computer in a while, you might have important updates waiting to install.
Below is a quick guide to updating four common browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari and Firefox.
Microsoft Edge
As part of Microsoft Windows, the Edge browser generally updates in the background automatically, however if you use a mobile WiFi hotspot for your data (from your phone or similar device), Edge may ask if you’d like to delay your updates until you’re on a regular WiFi network.
If you choose to delay the update, ensure you connect to a regular WiFi network as soon as possible to ensure you’re up to date and protected.
Google Chrome
In most cases the Google Chrome browser will update automatically in the background, however if you rarely close your browser, the update may not be able to complete. Keep an eye out for a prompt from Chrome to restart your browser on the right side of the address bar.
TIP: Chrome will save your opened tabs and reopens them after most updates, but note that incognito windows won't be restored.
Safari
Safari is tightly integrated into MacOS which means you not only receive automatic security updated in the background, you also receive new features whenever MacOS updates.
This is a largely automated process, however to limit inconvenience your Mac will generally update overnight, as long as it’s plugged into power and connected to the internet. Because of this, it’s still important to occasionally check that you don’t have a Safari (or any other) update pending.
Follow these steps in the link below to check the status of all available updates on your Mac – there’s even a handy video guide:
Firefox
Keeping Firefox updated is easy to do and should only take a few minutes following this guide on the official FireFox website:
We recommend checking that automatic updates are turned on for Firefox by following these quick steps:
- On the far right of the address bar, select the three horizontal lines to open the menu ≡ > Settings > General
- Under the “Allow Firefox to” section, make sure the following options are selected: Automatically install updates and When Firefox is not running.
Note: If you have more than one browser on your device, make sure they’re all up to date. Even a browser you don’t use often can pose a risk if it’s left outdated.