Recently I have had a lot of ‘Silver Surfers’ and many younger people comment that they are frustrated that they don’t understand the ‘basics’ of using computers. So, in the hope that it will help, I am writing a series of blogs on the basics. I will do my best to not use ‘techy’ language here. Please feel free to pass on and share with family and friends. I will start with computer updates.
I will start this series with one of the most often asked questions…
What Updates Do I Need To Run, and Why?
I find that many people worry about updates because they fear they will download a virus or malware. Ironically, many of the updates exist to give you better protection. It can be very confusing to know what is safe, and what is not. So, below I give you a little more information about the updates I get queries about most frequently.
The most common Updates…
Windows and Mac Updates
There are people who are constantly trying to find security flaws in the Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems. If they find these security flaws it may enable them to install software on your computer. Software that they may be able to use for commercial gain – viruses, malware, etc. The Microsoft Windows operating system is more “open” than the Apple Macintosh operating system, which is why it is very unusual to get a virus with Apple Macs. “Open” means that details are made available to other companies. This enables them to produce hardware and software to integrate with it. That is why there is more hardware and software available for Microsoft Windows than Apple Macintosh.
As soon as a security flaw is found Apple and Microsoft make changes to make it secure again. They then distribute these changes via updates sent to your computer via the Internet. That is why you get security updates and why they are important to install. Note that not all updates relate to security – some may just resolve programming errors.
I would also mention that you should download and run updates on ALL Windows and Mac devices – your iPhone, iPad, Windows phone, etc, etc.
You should also mentally check that Windows and Mac updates are happening regularly on your computer. If not, you should check as it may be a sign that something is amiss. For example, if you get a virus on your Windows computer the first thing the virus may do is disable Windows Updates.
Programs that You May Need When Visiting Websites
Most people know that they should run Windows and Apple updates but Windows users in particular are often unsure what other updates are safe to run.
There are several programs that run in the background of your computer that you never really see – until they ask to be updated. All of these programs commonly tell you when an update is available. These updates normally correct security and programming errors. Here are the most common programs that I get asked about.
Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Shockwave?
Many websites use Adobe Flash Player and Shockwave for games and animations. People who create websites often use Flash Player to make images at the top of a web page change and move. So if you want to view these websites you need Adobe Flash Player (as many an iPad user can tell you!). Shockwave Player is less commonly used, but you still might get a website asking for it, especially if you like online gaming.
Adobe Reader
Adobe Reader is a program that is commonly used to share information. For example you can create a Word document or Excel document and save it as an Adobe ‘pdf’ (portable document format). A pdf file can then be viewed by anyone who has Adobe Reader. Often people click on links to pdf documents and don’t even notice that it has opened not in their web browser but within Adobe Reader.
Java
Java is a programming language that is commonly used to allow you to run apps within a web browser (it is not JavaScript). So it is another one that you may find you need with some websites.
Computer Updates: Manufacturers
You may also be asked to regularly run updates by your computer manufacturer. Most manufacturers offer a service where they automatically notify you if there is an update for your computer. Often these rectify flaws that the manufacturers have found and so, again, it is good to run these updates.
Updates for Other Software
The software developers of other software installed on your computer may also regularly send you updates. If in doubt you may be able to check with the software supplier that they have recently sent an update.
How Can I be Sure an Update is Genuine?
There is no guarantee that I can give you that every update will be genuine. Nor, unfortunately, can I give you a definitive way to check an update is genuine. Criminals mimic software programs, copy genuine websites and are extremely clever at this. If you run updates regularly, you do become familiar with how they look, act and behave. This means that it is easier to spot something that is ‘different’ or unusual, that may mean it is not genuine. So spend a little time watching an update, noting the messages displayed and how it installs.
How Can I be Sure that an Update won’t cause a Problem
Again there is no guarantee that I can give you that running a Windows, an Apple or a software update won’t cause a problem. Unfortunately this is a Catch 22 situation. You need the Windows/Apple updates to ensure your computer is secure, but sometimes there can be problems with these updates. Every computer expert I know favours keeping your computer secure against the risks of doing otherwise.
Word of Caution
It is my observation that many people just click Next, Next, Next, Next, Next without ever reading the messages that are displayed. Consequently when the software offers to install additional software, they accept this. The most common programs that are downloaded this way are McAfee Online scanner, Norton Online Scanner, Ask toolbar, Yahoo toolbar, Google Chrome internet browser. In my experience 75% of the people who have these programs on their computer don’t know how they got there. I always read the boxes that are displayed before I click Next and so can tell you that the Ask toolbar is offered as part of Java updates. McAfee Online scanner is offered when you download Adobe products for the first time, as is Google Chrome.
In many cases these ‘free’ software programs do not cause any problems, and some are good. That said, if you can download and install one of these programs without knowing it, then you could just as easily download and install a Virus, Malware, Trojan, etc. The most important thing you can learn to do to protect your computer safety is to not click Next without reading the message first. Yes, some of it may be meaningless to you, but you will become familiar with what is ‘normal’ and what is not.
Rebecca Mansbridge
Director
March 2015