A practical guide for Malachain readers, written from everyday experience.
Update prompts tend to appear at the worst moment, so many people postpone them for weeks. Most updates, however, fix security weaknesses that are already publicly known, which means attackers know about them too. A device that runs old software is a much easier target than one that is current, even if its owner is careful about links and downloads.
The simplest solution is to let updates install automatically overnight, both for the operating system and for apps. Restart devices at least once a week so pending changes actually take effect. When an old phone or laptop stops receiving updates altogether, plan to replace it or limit what it is used for, because it will no longer be protected against new problems.
It also helps to talk the subject through with friends or colleagues who have tried something similar. Their experience points out the details that guides leave out: how long things really take, which costs were unexpected, and which shortcuts turned out to be a mistake.
There is more to learn on this subject, and the linked website goes into greater depth. Treat this article as an introduction rather than the final word, and check any important decision against up-to-date, reliable sources before relying on it.
If you try any of these ideas, start small and adjust them to your own situation. What works for one person will not suit everyone, and it is fine to keep only the parts that help. Writing down what you changed, and what happened, makes it much easier to see after a few weeks whether the effort was worthwhile.