As you know, one of the essential steps in protecting your computer is to keep the operating system up to date.  If you have a Windows XP or Vista machine, you must keep it current by visiting the Microsoft Windows Update site once a week or so, or by making the updates automatic.

Operating systems previous to XP – such as Win 95, 98 & Me – are no longer supported by Microsoft, and are becoming dangerous to use on today’s Internet.  If you have one of these, try to update to XP or Vista.

On the second Tuesday of every month, Microsoft releases a bunch of patches, or fixes for Windows.  But emergency fixes can be released at any time, which is why you should check regularly.

But it is important to follow the right procedure.  First, you usually must use the Internet Explorer browser for the update, not another one like Firefox. 

Next, never follow a link to the Update page from an email; never try to update your computer starting in an email you received, even (or especially) if it seems to have come from Microsoft.  Why?

Because from time to time, the hackers send out floods of s pam emails looking almost exactly like the Windows Update page.  If you click these update buttons, you will get a virus or Trojan infection, which can take over your computer and put it at the complete control of the hacker. 

In other words, your PC has become part of a botnet.  And remember that Microsoft never sends out such update notices.

So what is a conscientious surfer to do?  Simple.  Click Start, Windows Update, or Start, All Programs, Windows Update, and update your machine. 

Download and install all critical updates.  The rest, such as drivers or additional features, are optional. 

While we are on the subject of updates, the word is Microsoft will release Service Pack 3 for Windows XP in the next little while, possibly this fall.  Watch for it.  Service Pack 1 for Vista will probably have to wait till next year. 

Syd Tash is a noted computer security consultant and author of How to Protect Your Computer Online.  He has been keeping Internet surfers safe and secure since the last century.  Find out how he does it; protect your own computer with five layers of protection right here: => http://MyPCSecuritySite.com  

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