Keeping Your Operating System Current

Periodically companies like Microsoft and Apple will release updates for their operating systems (i.e. Windows and MacOS) and other products. These updates are often security patches, designed to fix bugs and vulnerabilities in the operating systems. It's important to download and install these updates. Even if you have protected your computer with virus scanning and spyware detections software, an outdated operating system may be all an intruder needs to compromise the integrity of your computer.

You should download and install any critical patches released by Microsoft (if you have Windows) or Apple (if you have MacOS). You can get these by visiting the following websites and following the instructions you'll find there:

• Microsoft Windows Update (Internet Explorer Required)
• Apple Featured Software (or use the built-in "Mac OS Software Update" tool.)

 Is there a way to automatically keep my operating system up-to-date?

• If you are running Mac OS, learn how to keep MacOS updated automatically.

• If you are running Windows 2000 or Windows XP you can configure Windows to keep your computer up-to-date automatically. To do this, first right-click on "My Computer" and select "Properties":

  

  Then choose the tab that is labeled "Automatic Updates" and select the following options: (This will configure Windows to automatically download updates and to pop-up a window telling you that the updates are ready to install. When that happens, click the icon next to the pop-up window and follow the instructions to install the updates.)