You see it all the time - some program on your computer is nagging you to install an update.  Keeping your software up to date is crucial for your overall computer safety, however since some viruses try to sneak onto your computer by pretending to be updates, it's important to recognize which updates are legitimate.  I've prepared this guide to help you navigate the tricky update waters.

Most legitimate updates are meant to either fix bugs, to patch security holes, or to provide additional features. Obviously you want to install updates that fix or patch your software as soon as possible. Installing additional feature updates is often optional, although eventually some programs will simply refuse to operate until you install the latest version.  

Any program that has access to the internet is a potential entry point for viruses, and should be patched and updated whenever the manufacturer offers updates.  I strongly recommend always updating the programs represented by the following icons:

Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader, and Oracle's Java are very common programs installed on most computers and are on my list of programs to update, but often their updates will come bundled with unnecessary security scanners, toolbars, or changes to your home page or other settings.  

When installing these updates make sure you read the screen and uncheck anything you don't want installed!  Here is link to an excellent article about this topic.  

Browsers such as Mozilla's Firefox and Google Chrome, entertainment programs such as Apple's iTunes, messaging programs such as Yahoo Messenger or Microsoft's Skype - all of these programs will also require updates at one time or another. If you don't use the program and it's nagging you to update it, you can just go ahead and uninstall it. Often the updates to these programs are "feature" updates and the program will be significantly different after you install the update, so if you are happy with the program as it is, you can safely hold off on the update until you are forced to in order to continue to use the program. And just like the Java and Adobe updates, read the screen and uncheck options you don't like or need.

Your antivirus should update automatically as long as the subscription is current. If you get messages about an antivirus program that needs to be installed or updated please be cautious and feel free to give me a call - there are legitimate times that this needs to be done, but there are also pitfalls. 

And for you Apple fans out there . . .