Keeping up to date with patches and fixes from the developer of your operating system is one of the most important things you can do in the maintenance of your computer. After an operating system is released to the general public, some security vulnerabilities and flaws may be discovered. Using the following instructions will ensure your computer is kept up to date, and as protected as possible. Below are update instructions for the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems, and the Apple OS X family of operating systems.

To update your operating system:
Microsoft Windows:

 

If your system is online follow these steps:

• Go to Microsoft Windows Update (Opens in new web browser window).
• Windows Update will quickly check your computer, and present you with two installing options. Select Custom Install
• Special note about Service Pack 2: The decision on whether to install Service Pack 2 rests with the owner of the machine. If the machine is free of all viruses, spyware, etc., you may want to consider installing Service Pack 2. Read more information at the Microsoft site.
• Review and Install the updates.

If your machine is currently not online, go to one of the computer labs on campus and download these critical patches:

 

MS Security Bulletin MS03-039
Buffer Overrun In RPCSS Service (RPC/DCOM vulnerability)
http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/200309_windows.mspx

MS Security Bulletin MS03-043
Buffer Overrun in Messenger Service
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx

MS Security Bulletin MS04-007
ASN.1 Vulnerability
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-007.mspx

MS Security Bulletin MS04-011
LSASS Security Update
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-011.mspx%20

MS Security Bulletin MS04-022
Vulnerability in Task Scheduler
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-022.mspx%20

Internet Explorer Service Pack 1
Note: Choose the "Save this program to disk" option when accessing this download. Once you have downloaded the installer, double-click its icon to install Internet Explorer SP1 on your computer.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1E1550CB-5E5D-48F5-B02B-20B602228DE6&displaylang=en


To access a complete listing of security updates from Microsoft, visit the site below. You can browse through the list of most popular downloads or use the search feature to find updates specifically for your operating system.

For example, if your computer has Windows XP then select that from the Product/Technology drop-down menu. Type the words "security updates" in the Keywords box and click the Go button for a list of all the Windows XP security updates.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en%20

Apple OS X:To use the Software Update feature that comes with OS X, open the Apple menu on the top left, and select Software update... Your computer will search for updates, and provide you a list. Ensure the updates are checked, and click Install