When a software update is not an update
I spend a lot of time with noobies helping them tell the difference between a legitimate software update notification and a fake or unnecessary one. Just when I think I’m finally making some headway with my customers Apple goes ahead and releases its new version of its Safari browser as a software update, even if you have never had Safari installed on your computer to begin with.
I envision the conversations with my customers over the next few days going something like this:
Customer: Something called “Apple Software Update” just popped up on my screen. Should I click the Install button?
Me: What does the Apple Software Update window show it is going to install?
Customer: I just see the word “Safari”. What is Safari?
Me: It’s Apple’s new version of its browser.
Customer: What is a browser?
Me: It’s the program you use when you are viewing web pages on the Internet. You probably click a blue “e” icon to launch your browser.
Customer: Oh, ok. So do I need to switch to Safari now?
Me: No.
Customer: So why is Apple telling me I need to update Safari?
Me: It’s not an update at all. You probably don’t even have Safari on your computer.
Customer: So what should I do?
Me: You should just ignore the update by clicking Quit or unchecking the box next to Safari.
Customer: Does that mean I should just ignore all Apple software updates?
Me: No, the iTunes and QuickTime updates are probably ok to install.
Customer: So how am I supposed to know which ones to install and which ones to ignore?
Me: Good question. You should probably call Noobie again when the next software update appears.
It’s no wonder noobies think the technology world is out to get them.
1 comment for this blog post so far...
March 27, 2008 at 9:00 am
Mike Welch
So true. It is both irratating and frustrating to keep getting basically messages that look legitimate but are really just trying to sell you something you probably don’t need. Unfortunately, many Noobies fall for these just like the do for the phishing scams. Thank goodness there is help available from unbiased sources like Noobie, Inc.
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