One of the most important things you can do to ensure the security of your computer is to enable the automatic software updates feature as described below. Microsoft and Apple release updates and patches that protect your computer from operating system vulnerabilities; once you enable automatic software updates, your computer will automatically check and download the updates that become available.
Windows XP
- Open the Start menu, click All Programs, then highlight
My Computer.
Figure 1. Select My Computer from the Start menu.
- Right click My Computer and select Properties from the new
menu.
Figure 2. Right-click My Computer, then select
Properties.
- In the window that opens, click the Automatic Updates tab, then
select Automatic (recommended). From the dropdown menus, select
Every day and then pick a time that your computer is usually on.
Finally, click Apply then OK.
Figure 3. Select Automatic
(recommended), then choose Every day, and a convenient
time.
Windows Vista
- Click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click
Windows Update.
Figure 1. Go to Start, click All Programs and
then Windows Update.
- Select Change Settings on the left hand panel and choose Install
updates automatically.
Figure 2. Select Install updates automatically. You
can modify the download and install schedule per the drop-down menu.
- It is highly recommended that you place a check next to the options
Include recommended updates... as well as Use Microsoft Update.
These updates will help to improve your computer's performance as well as the
security of installed applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Outlook), Silverlight, and more.
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
- Click on the Apple Menu, and select System Preferences
- Click Software Update under the System heading
- From the Scheduled Check tab, place a checkmark next to Check
for Updates and Download Important Updates Automatically
- Next to the Check for updates option, pull down the menu and select
Daily or Weekly
- Close the Software Update panel
Please note: these instructions are provided here for the convenience of SuniTAFE students. Sunraysia Institute of TAFE is not responsible for any damage that might result from following these instructions.