Should one use Windows Update?
This topic has good and valid arguments on both sides. Some would say keeping your windows up to date is essential in keeping it free of the newest, worst viruses and the like. Others would say that updating your windows is overemphasized, unneeded and a waste of time.
In the future, Microsoft will have ways of detecting whether your version of windows is actually store-bought, or pirated. With so many copies of pirated windows on the market, such a move by Microsoft is almost required in order to continue cornering the OS market. For instance, when SP 1 (and 2) came out, you had to have an authentic windows serial code in order to download the update. There are of course ways of getting around this, but it deterred much illegal upgrading to the new service packs. Had you have had a pirated copy of windows (and the majority does), then you could have downloaded a copy of windows SP 1/2, but you would have had to completely re-install and possibly format in order to install it.
If you had an original windows serial code that came with the product, you could have just downloaded the packs from the windows update servers.
So yes, having a non-pirated copy of windows is a convenience. However, some would remember a stunning virus that was released not too long ago; MyDoom. It managed to find its ways onto the Microsoft windows update servers. When you got the virus, you would have 30 seconds before the computer shut down. Should you have formatted, just to re-install windows with automatic updates turned on (and they are by default) you would get the virus again.
And not to mention Windows Updates are a large time factor. Some updates (especially the first time you use Windows Update) are colossal, and the download speeds are not always at their greatest. Someone on 56k would have a very hard time using windows update at all (and if you do, I recommend not bothering).
Now, you ask, what exactly is Windows Update? It's simply Microsoft engineers working hard to fix bugs, problems and backdoors in Windows. What are these problems, you ask? Well, when Microsoft released windows it wasn't exactly a perfect OS. With every version of Windows, it becomes more and more hi-tech. But there has always been problems with Windows being insecure.
The only way to find that Windows has a certain vulnerability is first for that vulnerability to be exploited. Eg, Microsoft using white hat hackers (the good guys) to breach windows, or for a hacker to break into a version of Windows and it is reported.
So, to answer the question, is it important to update your windows? It's hard to say, without the answer being a biased opinion. I will give both sides of the argument merit, but it honestly depends on what you want to do with your PC. For large businesses with intranets, windows updates are likely a good idea. It only takes one serious OS fault for a hacker or a bad virus to leak in and infect the whole network. Windows faults and security issues, IE backdoors, etc. Windows update constantly has fixes for these problems.
For a home desktop, even for a home network, windows updates really aren't that important. No one wants to hack the small guy; there is nothing to gain from it. Should you use a simple firewall, even the windows in-house firewall, you are protected from most threats. But big business is always at risk; major websites are constantly under the gun from DoS attacks and IE "tricks." Windows Updates cannot really help DoS attacks, but they can prevent hackers, crackers, viruses and the like from entering their network computers from faults in the windows code.
So to answer the question - should I use windows update? If you've got a lot of infrastructure you want to protect, yes. If you're a small guy, one PC at home, one laptop; even a few computers thrown together in your home network. The answer is no. I don't recommend it, anyway. Just throw on your windows firewall, Black Ice Defender, Norton, Avast....what have you. And enjoy browsing. That's about it.
I am a young, aspiring computer engineer into Internet Marketing, hardware, software, web design, SEO and just about anything related to computers. Please come check out my growing PC forum at http://www.markspcforum.com
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..SAP Inc., a global leader in client/server enterprise application software... Read More
TCO (Total Cost Ownership) is the buzzword in... Read More
Microsoft CRM is CRM answer from Microsoft Business Solutions. If... Read More
If you would like to pick something from Microsoft, or... Read More
GroupwareEfforts are continually made to manage the unavoidable ad hoc... Read More
Although statistics often is blamed for various deadly sins --... Read More
Sticky Noteshttp://www.deprice.com/stickynote.htmWith StickyNote 9.0, you can create beautiful 3D notes... Read More
Spyware and Adware infest over 90 percent of computers in... Read More
Which Type of Shop Can Rely On A Home Built... Read More
Manufacturing in the USA is far away down from mid... Read More
Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is very good fit for... Read More
Remember old good days when your company probably had Great... Read More
Program Flow is what you think it is. How the... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions CRM proved to be reliable solution in... Read More
GroupwareThe internet is full of 1.5 million to 7 million... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions CRM data conversion deserves FAQ type of... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, former Great Plains Software Dynamics... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions CRM is web-based CRM application, deploying all... Read More
We will base our prognosis on our Microsoft Business Solutions... Read More
Just imagine: you are walking, say, towards your car, and... Read More
First we had the original Google search that evolved into... Read More
Microsoft PowerPoint has dramatically changed the way in which academic... Read More
Features Additionally, Vista will include many other new features.Aero Vista... Read More
The java programming language is becoming more and more popular... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..For a windows user like me, just can watch with... Read More
Is Photoshop CS2 worth the upgrade? You bet it is!... Read More
As Mozilla Firefox nears 10% market share, with well over... Read More
MS CRM is very close to document workflow automation, including... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, former Great Plains Software Dynamics/eEnterprise... Read More
The objective for Zandi Digital is to make available clever... Read More
Now is the time to look at an alternative to... Read More
This tutorial covers OLAP solutions used by Data warehouses and... Read More
There is many things more frustrating than surfing a website... Read More
IBM Lotus Notes with Domino email server is traditional document... Read More
If you have Microsoft Great Plains and support it... Read More
This short paper will expand on two key reasons to... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains is one of three Microsoft Business Solutions... Read More
Considering whether or not your software company should hire a... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains and Microsoft Retail Management System (Microsoft RMS)... Read More
The major reason I recommend getting your hands on real... Read More
As seeing large number of implementations ? in our case... Read More
During the years of our consulting practice, which comes back... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Navision is main ERP application for European,... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is written in Great Plains... Read More
Need help making sense of algebra? Have algebra lectures in... Read More
TCO (Total Cost Ownership) is the buzzword in... Read More
Great Plains Purchase Order Processing (POP) module makes up one-third... Read More
While I was preparing some personal background information for a... Read More
... Read More
Software |