UPDATING IS A GOOD IDEA!
It’s sad, but true. So many security “holes” exist in today’s most popular operating systems (OS’s) and application software packages that hackers and virus authors are having a field day. Developers are constantly scrambling to release new security “patches” or updates to try to alleviate the threat of catastrophic data loss or system failure. The developers at Microsoft have come up with a very simple way to help you keep your Microsoft Windows operating systems updated with the latest security patches, as well as distributing new or updated versions of existing applications.

Since the introduction of Microsoft Windows 98®, the Windows® family of OS’s has had a built-in link to Microsoft’s Update web-site. When you click on the START button in Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows ME or Microsoft Windows 2000, you’ll notice a Windows Update icon, usually at the very top of your Start Menu list. Click on this icon, if you’re connected to the Internet, and you will be taken directly to the site.

Once you’re at the site, click on “Product Updates”. A check of your system will be performed to detect the current version of your installed OS and other Microsoft applications, and to determine which patches and updates have been previously installed. (No information is transmitted to Microsoft during this system check). You will now be able to select which updates you want to install.

The Critical Updates Package is usually the first update listed on the site, and should be the first thing you download and install. If there’s a Service Release (SR) or Service Pack (SP) for your OS or application, the Critical updates COULD be included in that download. There is a chance, however, that not all updates included in the Critical Updates Package were available at the time the SR or SP was published, so cover your bases and download the Critical Updates Package first. The download size and approximate download time is shown next to the name of the update. Most of the updates on the site are large in size, so it may take a while to download at 56k. When the download is complete, the PC will reboot and the updates will be installed. Depending on the type of updates included in the package, several reboots may be necessary to complete the installation. When the installation is complete, you should have all of the latest security updates installed. You can also download the Windows Critical Update Notification application from the same site. This program runs in the background every time you boot your PC and periodically checks for new Critical Update Packages. You will be notified when there is a new update, so you won’t have to try to remember the last time you manually visited the site.

Microsoft Windows XP® users have it a little easier. The Automatic Update feature is activated by default during XP installation. No additional steps are required. Whenever an OS update is available, it is downloaded in the background automatically via the Internet and you are then notified when it arrives and asked if you’d like to have it installed.

It’s easy to forget that security is an important issue. Many end users look at PC security as though it were an issue “For Geeks Only”. That’s a dangerous attitude. Downloading and installing security updates, keeping the virus signatures in your anti-virus solution up-to-date, maintaining a regularly scheduled backup of your data and monitoring who has access to your system are all vital steps in ensuring that your data and PC hardware are safe.