By keeping your computer's operating system and applications up to date, you help protect your computer from viruses, worms, and other malware. All major vendors regularly release security updates to their operating systems. Most software vendors – especially those providing email and web browsing clients – do so as well. You should do everything you can to keep your software up to date. Doing so will help you prevent infections and the headaches that follow them.
Configure Your Windows PC To Use Microsoft Update
The most reliable way to get updates from Microsoft is to have the updates delivered automatically to your computer using Automatic Updates. Setting this up is easy. For instructions, see Microsoft's Use Updating Services page.
Configure Your Mac To Use Software Update
In order to keep your software and operating system up to date on a Mac OS X system, you should use the Apple Software Update tool. More information and simple instructions can be found at Apple's Software Updates page.
Updating Mozilla Products
Users of Mozilla's Thunderbird email client or Firefox web browser should get an automatic update notification, and users who have turned that off can use the "Check for Updates..." item on the Help menu. More information about Mozilla product security can be found at Mozilla's Security Center.
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