Computer Self-Defense v1.1

Computer Security in Plain English: Updates

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The Security Center can be found in the Control Panel in both XP and Vista. Earlier versions of Windows did not incorporate this feature. The Security Center will give you the status not only Updates, but also Anti-Virus and the Firewall, even 3-rd party versions. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Security Center. Vista users will see newer features.

Windows Updates

Microsoft regularly issues updates and patches for the different versions of Windows, usually once a month. Windows XP, Service Pack 2, updates automatically if it's set up right. Windows 2000, the same. By now, April 2008, you should be running Service Pack 2 (aka SP2) if you've got Windows XP on your PC. If you're running Windows 2000, you should be on Service Pack 4. Vista's in the process of rolling out SP1.

Checking which service pack you're running is easy enough. Simply go to the "Control Panel", go to "System", and the "System Properties" window will show you the essential information on the state of your Windows version.

Upgrading to the Latest Service Pack

If you're running anything older than Service Pack 2 on Windows XP and Service Pack 4 on Windows 2000, you need to upgrade your computer to the newest service pack to be the most secure. Upgrading to the newest service pack is a time-consuming process not easily done on dial-up internet connections. You really need a broadband connection to do this quickly. You also need to make sure your computer is virus- and spyware-free before you upgrade. When XP's Service Pack 2 was released in 2004, most upgrade failures were due to spyware infections.

Older Windows Versions

As of July 2006, Microsoft quit updating Windows 98 and ME. If you are still running Windows 98 or ME, don't despair. You've still got a functional computer, but no more updates for you. That may not be as bad as it sounds. Hackers are directing their efforts towards later versions of Windows now, particularly XP, so a Windows 98 user actually runs a lower risk of being hacked. Of course, this is conditional on a number of factors: antivirus, primary web browser, and user discretion.

Application Updates

Increasingly, software companies are incorporating automatic updates into their programs. This is definitely a mixed blessing. On the plus side, programs like Adobe Reader and Google Toolbar will be updated for you. This reduces vulnerabilities to some degree and puts you in the latest versions of those apps. On the down side, these updates are done by adding to Windows' startups. Each program (app) adding to the startups, the less system resouces available to the computer. Read about msconfig on the Tune-Up page.

Last updated April 23rd, 2008
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