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All software companies have updates to their software after the original release of their product. Sometimes these updates will fix bugs in the software and improve the reliability of the product. Other times the update is a fix for a security hole in the product. This can be troublesome for computer users at home and at the workplace. Many times home consumers will not be aware of these critical updates until there is mass media coverage of the affected product(s). In small businesses and enterprises the major problem is usually patching several machines to protect company data, communications and customers on several mission critical systems without interrupting day-to-day business operations. Whichever position someone may be in they need to be aware that systems that are on networks and connected to the Internet need to be patched in order to be secure.
To ensure systems are patched computer users should be aware of:
1.Automatic software update functionality is present in many software products and based on the environment it should be enabled.
2.Subscriptions to software vendor notification services are usually available on vendor websites that will notify end users and/or IT professionals of updates on a timely basis.
3.Computer hoaxes and mis-information that might lead a person to install malicious software instead of a legitimate vendor patch.
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