Software Updates:
Should you or Shouldn’t you?

All PC software has updates to fix problems and increase security. How do you get updates and should you install them? Some software updates are important to install while others are not. Let’s investigate.

PC software can be categorized as the operating system (Windows and all the programs that come with it), Maintenance software like virus scanning and spyware removal programs, and applications programs such as Microsoft Office programs. Further, we can subdivide each category into Microsoft and non-Microsoft software. Using these classifications we can develop a strategy for maintaining our PCs software.

Microsoft programs are attacked more than any other software by viruses and spyware. Being the most widely sold software makes you the biggest and juiciest target. Microsoft continually issues program updates that close security vulnerabilities with its Windows operating systems.

Software updates to Windows are posted by Microsoft at www.windowsupdate.com or http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5consumer/default.aspx?ln=en-us. These links lead to web pages that scan your Windows system to determine what software updates are needed. They recommend critical updates needed to block Windows vulnerabilities to malicious software. The critical updates should be checked and installed on every Windows PC at least monthly. Recommended updates are also posted. For home PCs it is a good idea to install them as well because they generally improve Windows operation. Sometimes hardware driver programs are posted by Microsoft. These drivers are often good to install, but I have seen some Microsoft certified Nvidia graphic card drivers cause PC problems. Driver programs are also posted at hardware manufacturer web sites. Newer drivers generally make the hardware operation more reliable. They may also increase performance. However, I only check for driver programs when the hardware is malfunctioning.

Major updates to Microsoft Windows and other Microsoft software are called service packs. Currently Windows 2000 has all the updates rolled into service pack 4 (SP4). Recently, Windows XP has a new major security update provided in service pack 2 (SP2). These service packs and Windows updates are provided free by Microsoft.

Maintenance software has both program and data file updates. These updates are critical to its effective operation. Some virus scanning and spyware removal programs automatically download the updates, but others do not. When running these programs each day or week, you should check for updates to the data files used to detect the malicious software. These files contain virus and spyware signatures that are like the DNA identifying precisely the malicious software. Maintenance programs themselves can be updated. Newer versions provide added features and often scan quicker. Maintenance program updates should be manually checked by searching developers’ web sites once every six months. Sometimes these updates come with licensing changes and other less desirable features like annoying splash screens. I have seen several updated utility programs change from freeware (programs that are free to use) to shareware (programs with a 30 day trial period) which must be purchased for use beyond the trial period.

Updates to application software are less important depending upon how you work with the programs. Microsoft office application software also has security vulnerabilities but they are less frequently exploited by malicious software than is the Windows operating system. Other application software is rarely attacked. So security updates are less critical to implement. I only look for updates to application software when I find that the application misbehaves frequently. These updates are found at the application developer’s web site.