Two Updates You Should Know About
Posted in: Software Downloads and Tips
If I were a cook on a ranch, I’d be ringing a cowbell. If I were a gym teacher, I’d be huffing and puffing on a shiny silver whistle. If I were a ringmaster, I’d be bellowing “Laaaaaaadies annnd Gen-tle-men!”
But, sadly, since I’m neither a cook nor a gym teacher nor a ringmaster, all I can do is shout in capital letters: PLEASE LISTEN UP.
If there’s one timeforcake column that PC users should read this year, it’s this one. (And no, it’s not because I’m announcing that I chopped off 10 inches of my hair last week.)
Today, we’re going to go over two extremely important updates that should be smack dab at the top of everyone’s need-to-know-about list. Ready? Read on.
Important update No. 1
A while back, we learned that Spybot is an excellent tool for removing the annoying spyware and adware that infects most of our computers. I couldn’t imagine running my computer without it.
It recently came to my attention, though, that the old version of Spybot (version 1.2) is no longer adequate and cannot protect computers from the latest spyware and adware release.
That’s why it’s infinitely important, dear friends, to download and install the latest version of Spybot (version 1.3) in the near future.
Visit http://tinyurl.com/3ykyu to download Spybot 1.3. It’s free. It’s easy to use. You’re aware that version 1.2 is now outdated and ineffective. Running it will help keep your computer healthy and much safer from the bad guys. So go on. What are you waiting for?
Important update No. 2
Our second update is a major one, and it’s going to have a noticeable impact on all of us using Windows XP. This update is none other than the notorious “Windows XP Service Pack 2,” aka “SP2.”
Microsoft regularly releases updates and fixes (known as “patches”) to their software, and most of the time, people with computers running Windows XP find that their computers download and install these updates automatically.
People also can check to see if their computers need updates or patches by visiting http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
So what’s all the fuss about SP2? Microsoft states that it will provide better security for your computer by making changes such as enabling your firewall, installing a Security Center and adding e-mail protection options to Microsoft Outlook.
Though some of us may be more secure after installing SP2 - beware. This update is more than likely to change the way your computer operates, how some programs (like Quicken 2003) run, and how you connect to the Internet.
Microsoft even stated that many of its own products may not operate properly after installing the update.
I highly recommend that you read a bit more about this key update - http://tinyurl.com/5bar3, http://tinyurl.com/3upjr, and http://tinyurl.com/53kbh are great places to start.
