Learn Windows - Should you Use Windows Update®?

Learn Windows - Should you Use Windows Update®?

Author: Elaine Landau

This question seems simple enough, but there are convincing arguments for both sides. If a person believes that by keeping their Windows as up-to-date as possible they are avoiding the latest and worst viruses, then using Windows Update is advisable. No one should feel insecure about his or her system. Many computer users see constant updating as a waste of time and ask, "If it’s not broken, why fix it?"

What is Windows Update?
Microsoft engineers are always striving to learn Windows in and out to improve their product by solving problems, killing bugs, and fixing backdoors in Windows. With every new version of Windows, previously detected problems have been solved and cutting-edge solutions have been put in place.

But even the most high-tech version of Windows, Windows Vista®, is vulnerable to hackers. Microsoft actually has a posse of white hat hackers whose purpose is to learn Windows XP, learn Windows Vista, and breach Windows to determine vulnerabilities. Then there are the usual hackers who get perverse pleasure out of breaching Windows. In those cases, unless those breaches are reported to the Microsoft folks, the vulnerabilities will remain.

One complication.
Do you know if your Windows is store-bought or pirated? A lot of computer users have no idea. The answer to that question will affect whether or not you want to update your system.

Size matters.
Those who think updating Windows is a good idea tend to be large businesses with intranets. The truth is, one bad virus can infect an entire n