Virus & Security Information
Using automatic OS updates
Automatic updates are a way to ensure that your computer system has the most current security patches and operating system updates. This section contains the following information:
- What are the advantages and disadvantages?
- What tools automatic update tools are available for Windows and Mac computers?
- What does ITSS recommend?
Pros and Cons
While for many people automatic updates seem to be the best possible solution, there are some concerns with this feature also.
Advantages of automatic updates:
- Latest security patches are applied as soon as available
- Easiest way to keeps machines up to date
- Easier than manually patching
- Puts security responsibility on the vendor
- Protects your computer, the UMD network and the Internet
Disadvantages of automatic updates:
- Doesn't cover all security issues
- May provide users with a false sense of security
- Patch might infrequently cause problems
- May be inconvenient timing for user
Automatic Update tools
Automatic update service is available for the following operating systems:
Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP
For Windows computers, a number of tools are available depending on your operating system.
Windows Update is the online extension of Windows. It’s a Web site where you can find the most recent updates for operating systems, software programs, and hardware. This include critical updates, securtity updates, recommended OS updates, and driver updates. To use Windows Updates, you select it from your program list (Start - Windows Update). It scans your computer and lists any updates, patches, or software upgrades available for your system. You choose which, if any, to download and install.
Critical Notification Utility is a security tool for Windows 98 computers. When your computer is connected to the Internet, this utility connects to the Windows Update Web site and scans for critical updates only. If any critical updates are found, it displays a "Microsoft Critical Update Notification" message on your screen. You have the option to view and install the critical updates, or to postpone the update by selecting "Notify me later".
Automatic Updates was incorporated with Windows XP and is now available for Windows 2000 and Windows ME users also. As the name implies, the Automatic Updates utility runs automatically every time you start your computer while it's connected to the Internet, scanning your computer to see if any updates are needed. You can configure Automatic Updates to work in one of three methods:
- Notify me before downloading any updates and notify me again before installing them on my computer. After you set this option, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to search for downloads from the Windows Update Web site. An Automatic Updates icon and message appear in the notification area of your Taskbar when new updates are available to download or install.
- Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed. After you set this option, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to automatically download updates from the Windows Update Web site. An icon appears in the notification area of your Taskbar when the updates are being downloaded. You can point to the icon to view the download status.
- Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify. If you click this setting, click to select the day and time for scheduled updates to occur.
Mac OS9 and Mac OSX
Software Update is a control panel available in Mac OS9 and a System Preferences panel in Mac OSX that will connect to Apple and offer to download and install the latest update and patches to your operating system and certain applications provided by Apple. You choose which, if any, to download and install. To use Software Update, you select it from Control Panels in your Apple menu in OS9 and from System Preferences in OSX.
You can run the Software Update control panel when you wish to check for updates, or set it to automatically check for updates. OSX will automatically check for updates every week unless you disable this option.
What does ITSS recommend?
To provide the best security protection with minimal inconvenience and risk to the users, ITSS has made the following recommendations.
Windows computers
Install updates using the following guidelines:
- Install all "critical updates" as you are informed of them
- Install all "security updates" as soon as possible
- Install "recommended updates" only if they pertain to services or programs that you use
- Install "driver updates" only if you are experiencing problems with your current hardware
- Install no more than 2 updates at one time, to limit problems and make it easier to remove the changes.
For Windows 98 computers:
- Install Windows Critical Update Notification utility.
- Run Windows Update monthly or when notified of security problems.
For Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP computers:
- Enable "Automatic Updates".
- Select the option, "Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed."
Mac computers
Install updates using the following guidelines:
- Install all "security updates" as soon as possible.
- Install other updates if they pertain to services or programs that you use.
Rev: 04.04