TECHIE TIDBITS
Windows Updates: Where Do You Stand?
by Darren W. Hood

Over the past couple of years or so, I've covered several topics. Some of you haven't seen those articles and some just need to be reminded (and the topics-at-hand may be more important now), so during the next two or three articles let's revisit a few—from a slightly different angle, of course.

Windows Updates

As we're on the dawn of a new version of Windows, Vista, let's revisit the importance of Windows Updates. Are you a Windows user? Do you visit the Windows Update site regularly or do you have your computer set to update your system automatically?

"What's so important about Windows updates?" someone may ask. Well, as you may or may not know, Windows security vulnerabilities are discovered on a regular basis. Updates that help to resolve these vulnerabilities are made available through the update process. If you don't update your system, you'll be at risk. Through security vulnerabilities, people can…..

• Access your computer and its data
• Control your computer
• Steal your content, including (but not limited to) credit card data, logins and passwords

By visiting the Windows Update site, you can view your update history and download and install any critical updates that are available. You can visit the Windows Update Web site at http://update.microsoft.com. Microsoft now offers "Automatic Updates". This service will notify you when new updates are available. This feature will help you to manage and maintain your system in a timely manner.

NOTE: We all have computer hardware (e.g., printers, scanners, video cards, sound cards, etc.). While the Windows Update site occasionally offers hardware driver updates, I strongly recommend that you avoid them. Every time I have allowed Windows Update to install a hardware driver update, the updated hardware goes "batty". If you are wondering whether or not a new/updated driver is available for your hardware, you can always visit the manufacturer's Web site and check manually. This way, you can be sure that you're getting a driver that will really work.

Operating system updates: good. Windows Update driver updates: bad.

Questions? Comments? I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to write me at editor@lakeshoreguardian.com.