Microsoft periodically release security updates for Windows. These security updates fix recently discovered security flaws. As you would expect, it’s a good idea to install the latest security fixes as soon as they become available.

You might think that keeping Windows up to date is a no brainer, but you’d be amazed how many people neglect to do this. The Conficker outbreak exploited a security flaw that was fixed in October 2008, yet when Conficker was first discovered in November 2008, it still managed to infect millions of vulnerable machines worldwide. Had these users installed security updates in a timely manner, they would not have been infected. With automatic updates enabled, you don’t have to worry about missing a security patch.

To set up automatic updates:

Windows 8

• Type Control Panel at the Start screen and click on the Control Panel app
• Click System and Security
• Under Windows Update, click Turn automatic updating on or off
• Choose Install updates automatically (recommended), if not already selected

Windows 7 & Windows Vista

• Click Start -> All programs -> Windows Update
• Click Change Settings
• Choose Install updates automatically (recommended), if not already selected

Windows XP

• Click Start -> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System
• Click on the Automatic Updates tab
• Choose Automatic (recommended) if not already selected