You've probably seen those funny Mac and PC commercials on TV where the PC talks about the huge number of viruses and exploits Windows is exposed to relative to Macs. Unfortunately, it is true that the operating system and software that you select plays a big part in how many threats your computer faces. Though the number of threats that affect Mac OS X programs is expected to grow in 2007, for now at least, viruses are concentrated on Microsoft's programs. Consequently, if you are running a Windows OS, or another Microsoft application, it is extremely important that you frequently update your application with all the new patches that Microsoft puts out. Stated simply, the longer a critical internet-dependent application goes without an update, the higher the probability your computer will have a security threat. So to avoid unnecessary breaches in security, keep your important software up to date.
Suggestions:
- Run automatic updates for Windows XP patches and your web browsers. While using automatic updates is not the safest solution for a lot of applications, when it comes to fighting new viruses that threaten your operating system and key programs, the risk of using automatic updates is far outweighed by the benefits of quickly updating.
- Educate yourself on the differences in the levels of threats facing different operating systems and applications. While it probably doesn't make sense for you to select an entirely different operating system on the basis of increased threats, it might make sense for you to choose an alternative program where a similar product is offered by a competitor that faces far fewer security attacks.
No comments:
Post a Comment