JUNE 2009 - UPDATING YOUR COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Once your browser was the only entry point for attackers. But there are a number of other potential dangers today. For instance, Flash players, Java Runtime Environments and media players can also allow hackers in.

Flaws are can be discovered in all of these programs. Developers usually release new versions of software after improving features, removing some bugs or security weaknesses or for some other reasons. Sometimes software will have automatic updates that will go online, find and install the updates (such as Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Adobe Reader, Mozilla's Firefox, etc.); some will check for online for updates and then will give you that bright, friendly little window pop-up telling you that there are software updates available. In most cases, it's usually good to heed the message (most updates address and correct security issues) -- but, as with anything else, you'll want to verify the source and act accordingly. Other software leaves the work up to you to check online for updates, download and install them.

Whatever the source of the update, always be aware that things can go wrong and always consider making a backup before you do anything to change your system in a major way. If you're using Windows, you've got the System Restore safety net. Make sure that you set a Restore Point before installing new updates. Some software updates will ask whether you want to make a backup of whatever it is being updated, so be smart and click "yes."

The following software should ALWAYS be updated:

MICROSOFT WINDOWS and INTERNET EXPLORER:
The Windows Update service provides a single location for all the updates. And by turning on the Automatic Updates feature, you can make sure your PC has High-priority updates including security and reliability updates, drivers, service packs, and feature updates. Automatic Updates routinely checks for the latest High-priority updates for your PC and then downloads and installs them for you automatically.

Note: The Automatic Updates feature will only check for High-priority updates. Automatic Updates will not download and install Optional updates. You will need to return to the Windows Update site regularly to select and install Optional updates.

If you don't have Automatic Updates turned on, Microsoft recommends you turn it on when you visit the Windows Update site.

To turn on Automatic Updates in Windows XP (SP2)
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Automatic Updates.
3. Choose Automatic (recommended).

To manually update Windows and Internet Explorer, open the Internet Explorer browser, click on "Tools" in the Menu Bar, then click on "Windows Update". Or, click on the "Start" button, then on "Control Panel", then in the left column click on ""Windows Update". You will be taken to the Windows website where you can check for and install new updates and review your update history.

Do you have other Microsoft products besides Windows? Turning on Microsoft Update helps you keep Windows and many other Microsoft programs, such as Microsoft Office, updated all in one place. You can do this at www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate

ALL ANTIVIRUS AND ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE:
Any programs such as Spybot Search and Destroy, AVG Antivirus, McAfee and Norton Security software should ALWAYS be updated FREQUENTLY. The companies that develop these programs have large teams of programmers that are constantly writing new updates to keep up with the ever-changing world of viruses, Trojan horses and spyware. Your antivirus and anti-spyware software is not effective if it is out-of-date. These programs often have a choice of automatic updates. If you don't have this feature enabled, make sure that you open the program and manually update at least once a week.

FIREWALL SOFTWARE:
Firewall software such as Zone Alarm also should be updated on a regular basis, although not as often as antivirus software. Again, firewall software might have a choice of automatic updates. Or, some programs may check for updates and then put up a pop-up message to tell you that an update is available. The Microsoft Windows firewall will be updated along with any Windows updates.

If you do get a pop-up window reminding you to update, it is a good idea to close that pop-up and then open the corresponding software and run the update from within the program. Viruses and spyware on your computer could be the cause of those pop-up windows and clicking on them could increase your problems. Also, remember to make that back-up before updating.

Another reliable option for ensuring that your software is properly up to date is a software program called a Software Update Monitors (SUMs). A (sometimes) quick scan of your computer by one of these products will reveal which software is old and needs to be updated. Two free Software Update Monitors are:

FileHippo – download from http://www.filehippo.com/ (look for the link in the upper right hand corner for their "Free Update Checker").

Secunia Personal Software Inspector – download from www.secunia.com (click on the tab labeled "Vulnerability Scanning", then below that tab, click on "Personal (PSI)")