Updates are classified many ways. Notable classifications in alphabetical order follow.
Hotfix Malicious update Cybercriminals can use a number of methods to send fake software updates which include malware. Methods to distribute this type of malicious software include emails and pop-up windows. A report by the
American Civil Liberties Union has suggested that state actors have attempted to include code, for surveillance purposes, in software updates sourced from legitimate companies and software developers, traditionally considered to be safe and reliable.
Patch Patch release Program temporary fix Security patch A
security patch is a change to correct the weakness described by a vulnerability. The corrective action prevents successful exploitation and removes or mitigates a threat's capability to exploit a specific vulnerability. Patch management is a part of
vulnerability management the cyclical practice of identifying, classifying, remediating, and mitigating vulnerabilities. Security patches are the primary method of fixing security vulnerabilities in software. Currently Microsoft releases its security patches once a month ("
patch Tuesday"), and other operating systems and software projects have security teams dedicated to releasing the most reliable software patches as soon after a vulnerability announcement as possible. Security patches are closely tied to
responsible disclosure. These security patches are critical to ensure that business process does not get affected. In 2017, companies were struck by a ransomware called
WannaCry which encrypts files in certain versions of
Microsoft Windows and demands a ransom via BitCoin. In response to this, Microsoft released a patch which stops the ransomware from running.
Service pack Unofficial patch Video game patch A
video game receives an update (often called a patch) to fix problems and to change features such as change game rules and
algorithms. These updates may be prompted by the discovery of
exploits in the
multiplayer game experience that can be used to gain unfair advantages over other players. Extra features and gameplay tweaks can often be added. These kinds of updates are common in
first-person shooters with
multiplayer capability, and in
MMORPGs, which are typically very complex with large amounts of content, almost always rely heavily on updates following the initial release, where updates sometimes add new content and abilities available to players. Because the balance and fairness for all players of an MMORPG can be severely corrupted within a short amount of time by an exploit, servers of an MMORPG are sometimes taken down with short notice to apply a critical fix. Companies sometimes release games knowing that they have bugs.
Computer Gaming Worlds
Scorpia in 1994 denounced "companies—too numerous to mention—who release shoddy product knowing they can get by with patches and upgrades, and who make
pay-testers of their customers". ==Process==