Keeping Software Current

Aloha!

The simple act of sitting down in front of your computer and getting some work done or playing a game isn’t what it used to be since we all started plugging into the Internet over a decade ago. Now, because of our online status, we have to be constantly vigilant about security threats, especially if we are intrepid explorers of the Web.

As much as the Internet is an intriguing and enjoyable means for connecting with the world at large, it can be equally risky (and risqué), offensive, and irksome. Hey, sounds about like living in any big city, no? And that’s what the Internet is – human civilization online. All the best and worst of humanity is at our fingertips and mouse clicks. Imagination has free reign.

In previous articles, I have explained the importance of running security software on your computer. Here I want to stress the importance of keeping such programs up-to-date.

Nearly every software vendor provides online updates for their programs. In the realm of security software, these are critical for ensuring your continued protection against online threats – viruses, spyware, hackers. Bottom line: for security applications like antivirus programs, it’s best to run the update before you scan for malware. Most programs have an obvious “Update” button or link you can click to start the update process. (Some updates require you to reboot your computer, so before updating, you should close all open programs and save all open files.)

Operating system makers like Microsoft, Apple, and Linux (the many distributions thereof), regularly provide updates, patches, service packs, etc. In my experience, most of the time, it’s important to install such updates. They provide additional protection, bug fixes, and product enhancements.

Before doing a serious update, like installing a new Windows service pack, it’s best to backup your data, as some service pack updates have crashed computers. You can’t be too paranoid when it comes to backing up your data.

You can update just about any program, be it your CD burning software, your PDA software, your music player, you name it. Even your networking hardware, such as your router, can be updated. If you are unsure about how updates will affect your system, you should consult a computer tech, the software vendor, or your computer manufacturer.

Wishing you akamai computing!