With ever more aspects of everyday life taking place online, from keeping in touch with friends to online shopping and banking, data security has never been a more important consideration for so many people. When accessing information over internet connections at home or on the move, you should always keep security at the forefront of your mind - especially as you are likely to be directly responsible for keeping your computer, smartphone and other devices up-to-date with the latest security software.

Software and security updates for work computers are usually the responsibility of your employer or IT departments, so if you're used to a computer updating to the latest versions of software without your involvement, it can be easy to forget to carry out these tasks yourself at home. You may find yourself irritated by pop-ups asking you to update your programs or download the latest software patches when using media players, internet browsers and other applications, but failing to keep your programs up to date could have serious consequences and make your sensitive data vulnerable to cyber-criminals.

There are many potential negative consequences of security breaches, which could involve losing money, having your identity stolen or putting yourself at risk by revealing sensitive information such as your home address and contact details. Security considerations go beyond software updates and also involve checking the privacy controls of websites to avoid unintentionally disclosing personal information to people you don't know, such as details of when you're going on holiday that could make your home a target for criminals.

The easiest and most effective way to keep your software updated with the latest security patches and other updates is to install specialised computer vulnerability software, which can be configured for use with all your regular applications and will work with existing firewalls to offer optimum protection against online threats. Computer security software comes in many forms, and you will need to compare different systems available, depending on your requirements.

If you run a business, whether it's from a home office or larger commercial premises, there could conceivably be more areas that need to be secured than you are even aware of, as security risks often multiply as more programs are installed on servers and more users are connected to your networks. Using sophisticated and adaptable security software that provides relevant, real time alerts could greatly boost security in your business and at home.

Jesse Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.