What can happen if software patches are not applied regularly?

Regularly applying software patches is crucial for maintaining the security and functionality of systems. When patches are not applied, known vulnerabilities remain unaddressed, leaving systems susceptible to security exploits. Cyber attackers often target these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or install malicious software. Therefore, neglecting to update software can significantly increase the risk of a successful attack, potentially compromising sensitive information and disrupting operations.

While other options may not directly correlate to the consequences of failing to apply patches, they reflect different aspects of software management. Automatic upgrades typically depend on specific system settings, while disabling new features or losing data are not direct outcomes of neglecting patch management. Instead, the primary concern with not applying patches is the heightened risk of security breaches, making the vulnerability to security exploits the most accurate answer in this context.