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How updates keep your computer healthy and safe.
By William Kapes

In the past, computers didnt get updates. When problems were found in software they were fixed in time for the next big release. This was often months or even years after the bug was discovered. So any problems in Windows 3.0 would have to wait until Windows 3.1 to be fixed. Some people still think that is how things work. You install software and it's fine until the next big update. However in todays world, that is just not the case. Critical updates, many of them fixing serious flaws in security, are released all the time. With today's connected world, staying up to date is vitally important.

Microsoft Windows, being the most common operating system in the world, is also the most common target of attackers. There are groups of people and individuals constantly looking for undiscovered flaws that will allow them to compromise a system. Increasingly these attacks take the form of a "zero day exploit". A zero day exploit is an attack that uses a previously unknown flaw. This means that the various software companies are often playing catch up with the bad guys just to fix problems that are already being used to infiltrate systems. In addition to the zero day exploits, there are also a number of attacks that happen after a fix has been issued. This is due to the fact that attackers can often look at a patch as it is released and figure out what it was supposed to fix. They also know that many users, way too many, do not patch their systems regularly. So in essence the fix being released has announced the vulnerability to the world.

By far the most important piece of software on your computer is the operating system. For most users, this means Microsoft Windows. Microsoft is constantly releasing patches and fixes for Windows and it is important to get those installed in a timely manner. Recent flaws that have been fixed include problems which would allow people to install software to your computer just by you visiting a website or even get into your machine if it is connected to the internet without a firewall protecting it. Microsoft releases patches every "Patch Tuesday", the second Tuesday of each month. However they also release critical updates as soon as they are fixed. Almost every month Microsoft has to release a patch outside of the Patch Tuesday cycle. This is how often flaws are found and fixed.

One important thing to note, even with current antivirus and antispyware software running, you can still be vulnerable to flaws in the operating system. Security software such as antivirus software runs on top of the operating system and if there are holes in the operating system, the security software may not be able to protect you.

All is not lost however. The first thing you can do to protect yourself and your computers is to run a good hardware firewall between you and the internet. This protects you from a good percentage of outside attacks. A router for the home or a good firewall for your office will do a great deal to keep your information safe. At Desktop Valet, we recommend the Sonicwall line of firewalls for comprehensive security, including firewalls, intrusion prevention, gateway antivirus, and secure VPN connections. Second, run Windows Update and turn on automatic updates. Windows can be configured to automatically download and install updates when they are released. Getting those patches installed quickly is critical to keeping your machines running well and securely. If you do not have automatic updates turned on, you should do that immediately. If you are not sure how to turn on automatic updates, please give us a call.

Desktop Valet offers Corporate Managed Services which includes patch management as part of our comprehensive service. If you have five of more computers in your organization then our Managed Care Program may be right for you.

William Kapes is a senior network engineer with Desktop Valet. He has been in the I.T. industry for over 6 years and can be reached at williamk@DesktopValet.com.