A zero-day vulnerability is a software flaw that attackers can use before the company has fixed it. That gives criminals an opening to install malware, steal sensitive data, hijack accounts or disrupt systems before a patch is ready. Anthropic says Mythos has already found thousands of high-severity vulnerabilities never before identified. But that’s only the beginning.

Anthropic’s researchers say it can also turn them into working exploits with startling speed. In one example, the company said engineers without formal security training were able to ask Mythos to find remote-code-execution vulnerabilities overnight and wake up to a complete working exploit. 

That is why industry, government and finance all reacted so quickly. Anthropic did not release Mythos to the public. Instead, it created Project Glasswing that gives early access to organizations responsible for major software and infrastructure so they can use the model for defensive work first. Launch partners include Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Cisco, CrowdStrike, JPMorganChase and others. Anthropic says the point is to secure critical software before these capabilities fall into the wrong hands. The White House is also looking into new security protocols.

All of this activity means you can expect more updates over the next year to your devices’ operating systems and to the browsers you use to access the internet. For years, it made sense to wait a little while before installing a major update so any bugs could be detected and fixed. No more.

As companies review their products, they will issue updates for the software, and that includes software that was thought to be secure. Companies will move fast, and so should you. Once you are aware of an update, install it. If companies are finding and fixing flaws faster, waiting longer can leave you exposed longer. You should also be prepared for a second update to follow fairly quickly as the first release meets the real world and more bugs come to light. Faster patching is likely to become normal.

Start with your iPhone. With an iPhone, go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update. Make sure Automatic Updates is on, but do not leave it at that. Wait while your phone checks for updates. If one is available, tap to install it. If you get the message that there’s not enough storage, you’ll have to delete items from your device. It’s a good idea to check the storage regularly and keep a reasonable amount available for an update, say 15 to 20 gigabytes. That gives you room for a large update, temporary installation files and the follow-up patch that may come soon after.

Laptops need the same attention. On a Windows laptop, click Start, open Settings and select Windows Update. Then click Check for Windows updates. If updates are available, choose Download & install. If Windows asks you to restart, do it promptly. Microsoft also offers a setting called Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available, which is worth turning on if you want new fixes sooner. And just as with your phone, do not let storage get too tight. Microsoft says if there is not enough free space, some updates may not install until you clear room.

And like with your phone and computer, browsers require the same vigilance. When you see that a new version is available, update it right away. If you’re a Chrome user, you’ll see “New Chrome available” on your screen next to your profile picture. Click it and choose to relaunch Chrome. It takes less than a minute, and your tabs will reopen automatically. Other browsers work in a similar way.

The larger point is that updates are no longer something to get around to when convenient. They are basic maintenance. Mythos is a warning that the gap between discovering a flaw and using it may shrink dramatically. The companies that make your phone, laptop and browser are going to respond with more patches and faster fixes. Your job is to keep up.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.