This is important with operating systems such as Windows and Mac OS. Cyber criminals frequently exploit vulnerabilities and flaws in software to gain access to computers.
A software vulnerability is usually a security hole or weakness found in an operating system or software program. Hackers exploit this weakness by writing code to target a specific vulnerability, which is packaged into malware. These exploits can infect your computer with no action on your part other than viewing a website, opening a compromised message, or playing infected media. Patching these exploits and vulnerabilities can reduce the chances of becoming a victim of cyber crime.