Lab 12 Computer Security Basics

Part D: Using Windows Update

An additional way to protect your computer is to install patches for your operating system. A lot of times, flaws are found in the code of operating systems like Windows or Mac OS, and so it is important to stay up-to-date on all of the latest patches so that your computer is protected. Many of the flaws are security issues. Let's practice updating Windows now (though more than likely the lab machines do not need updating at the moment

Click on Start > Control Panel.
Double-click on Security Center.
In the Resources box, click the sentence that says "Check for the latest updates from Windows Update".
This will bring you to the Windows Update web site. You can visit this web site on your home computer whenever you want to download and install critical updates. This website will also show you which updates you have already installed.
In order to check for updates, click on the button marked "Express". This will scan your computer to see if any new updates are required. There should not be any updates listed, but if there were, all you would have to do is click on the button marked "Download and install updates" to get your computer up to date.

In order to keep your computer up to date automatically, you can also enable automatic updates with Windows Update.

Click on Start > Control Panel.
Double-click on Automatic Updates.
Automatic updates should already be turned on with your lab computer. If you are doing this lab from home, click on the button that says 'Automatic (recommended)', then select the time that you want your computer to check for automatic updates. This will download and install all Windows updates automatically, though your computer has to be on in order for automatic updates to work.

Answer question 8 in the Lab 12 Catalyst quiz online.