Updates

 Get the latest Windows Updates

Keep your applications and operating system fit and healthy

As new threats emerge, Microsoft updates its Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications to block them. However, you need to download the updates regularly to be sure of getting maximum protection.

Why update Windows and Office applications?

Like locksmiths and burglars, hackers and software manufacturers are engaged in a cat-and-mouse game. Hackers try to find and exploit bugs and loopholes in popular software in order to get a back door into people’s computers. Developers try to close these loopholes as they are discovered.

If passwords are the door key and a firewall and anti-virus software is your alarm system, installing patches is like making sure that you don’t leave any windows open.

What updating does

Patches and updates

Rather than distribute a new CD-ROM every time a piece of software is updated, software companies distribute updates using patches. This is like inserting five new pages in an encyclopaedia rather than shipping 24 new volumes every time there’s a change. These patches can be downloaded over the internet.

Benefits of updating

Updating your computer:

• Protects against some viruses.
• Protects against some hacker tricks.
• Improves performance.
• Fixes bugs.
• Adds features.

Updates must be combined with anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software to be effective.

Service packs

Service packs combine a number of updates and improvements in one large patch. For Windows XP users, Service Pack 2 offers significant security improvements and it is highly recommended.

How to update

• For Windows, go to the Windows Update site and follow the instructions.
• There are instructions on the site that will enable your computer to automatically download and install updates as they become available.
• For Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.) go to the Office Update site.
• Check with software companies, via their website, periodically for updates for other applications.

Upgrade your operating system

Generally the latest version of an operating system family is more secure than previous versions.  For example, Windows Vista is safer than Windows XP which, in turn is more secure than Windows 98 or Windows 2000. See Microsoft’s website for more information about upgrading to Vista.