Don't Download that Update
by Gary Woods

Last week I got a very official looking critical update notice from Microsoft. Anyway as you have no doubt guessed it was a worm and instantly shut down my computer. I backup everything once a week so I was back and running in about 15 minutes. So I thought it would be a good time to go over Microsoft updates and what to do and definitely what not to do.

On all Microsoft operating systems there is a link, which gets you to the Microsoft update page. On 2000 and 98 just click on Start and the Windows Update link will appear. With XP and ME click on Start and then on Settings and it'll be there.

There is an automatic setting, but my thought is if it's automatic it's probably wrong. First off the Automatic Setting will check every time you start your computer and second it won’t always get everything you might like.

About once a week I check the update page but you might want to do it about once a month. There are 3 levels of downloads, critical updates, suggested updates and drivers. I would suggest you get all the critical ones and look over the suggested ones. A lot of them you probably won't need.

Finally, backup everything you’d hate to lose, do a complete scan with Norton or McAfee once a week and occasionally go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com and do a scan using their free service.

If you have any suggestions or questions for me please drop me a note at garyandlaury@santabarbaraproperties.com or see my column on the Internet at http://www.santabarbaraproperties.com or call me at (805) 729-0910