Whenever a vulnerability is discovered in software, hackers and virus writers pay attention. You should, too, because vulnerabilities are often new holes for worms through which hackers can access your computer.
This means you're vulnerable until you patch the hole. Tonight on "Tech Live," see why you should run a patch now if you use Windows.
Updating your software involves downloading patches from the Web and then double-clicking the download to start the installation. The install rewrites the code that caused the vulnerabilities. This shouldn't change the behavior of your software, but sometimes other upgrades or updates are included in these patches; all are meant to be beneficial.
Updates are free. If you use Windows, you should update your operating system software three or four times a year, or whenever you hear that a vulnerability has been discovered and patched by Microsoft, as happened Wednesday when Microsoft issued
new security alerts for Windows.
How Windows Update works
Microsoft directs users to the
Windows Update site, where a diagnostic tool queries a user's system to find out which operating system the computer runs (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, or Windows NT) and when it was last updated. Based on the results of this query, the site then offers the user a choice of updates. Microsoft takes great pains to note that no private information is being gathered or distributed. The site says, "This scan is done on your computer to ensure the safety and privacy of your system information. None of this information is sent to Microsoft or over the Internet."
Since bandwidth is precious, Microsoft doesn't want you to keep downloading updates you already have. Once your system is inventoried, you'll find a list of updates. Some are deemed critical updates, meaning they are necessary for fixing security holes, performance bugs, or any known flaw. The rest are optional. They're meant to optimize performance or add niche performance benefits. If you want more technical information about any of the updates, click the "Read this first" link. It'll give you details such as a description of the component, how to begin using the component, instructions for uninstalling, and the support policy.
How to update your Windows software
- Close all programs except your browser.
- Make sure you're online.
- Go to Windows Update.
- Click "Product updates."
- Accept the system evaluation by clicking Yes.
- You'll see both critical and optional updates. Click the Critical Update box.
- Click the gray Download box in the upper right corner.
- Click "Start download."
- Accept any other options.
- Once all components are downloaded, restart your computer.
- Update your browser monthly or whenever a big virus hits.
These instructions may vary depending on your operating system. But the process is similar in all versions of Windows.
