How do security patches mitigate software vulnerabilities?

Security patches are updates released by software vendors to address vulnerabilities in their products. These patches work by fixing the coding errors or issues that could potentially be exploited by cyber attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems or data. Timely application of security patches is critical because vulnerabilities become widely known once a patch is released. Hackers can reverse engineer patches to identify the vulnerability they fix, making systems without the patch an easy target. Therefore, applying security patches promptly helps to close the door on potential exploits before attackers can take advantage of them.