What is patching?

Patching refers to the process of applying updates to software to fix vulnerabilities and enhance functionality. This process is crucial in maintaining the security and performance of software systems. When vulnerabilities are discovered, software developers release patches to address these security flaws, preventing potential exploitation by malicious actors. Additionally, patches may include improvements or enhancements to existing features, providing users with a better experience and ensuring compliance with modern standards. Regularly applying patches is an important part of a comprehensive security strategy, as it significantly reduces the risk of security breaches that can occur due to unaddressed software vulnerabilities.

The other options do not accurately encapsulate the essence of patching. Disabling unused software features relates more to system hardening and minimizing attack surfaces rather than directly fixing vulnerabilities. Deleting outdated files pertains to file management, while changing user permissions is about access control, neither of which involve the application of updates to software.