Ann, the update screen gives you the option of "Express Update", which does everything for you, or "Custom Update", which of course let's you pick and choose. The list of updates _always_ describes the update and advises on the level of importance, critical or otherwise. For automatic updates scheduled at night, you won't usually be aware of anything except sometimes the system will be re-booted for you, so that you have to restart your favourite run-all-the-time stuff. If you simply wait for a notification before updating, it's just a discreet message which you can choose to ignore for as long as you like.
HTH John Coyle Brisbane, Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ann Sanfedele" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Pentax-Discuss Mail List" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 12:52 PM Subject: Re: OT: joys and woes of new computer - couple of questions <SNIP> > > Ugh - every time I get on the computer the little window > pops up > I just "x'ed" out of it - I dont' even know how to set it on > auto update > but auto anything always worries me. > > I guess I've seen too many people on AOL badgered by pop-ups > - I used to have > an AOL account as a back-up - GAWD was that awful. > > I'd like to be able to tell the difference between security > updates and > silly fancy stuff I dont want, though. > > ann > > > > > >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 3:32 PM >> Subject: Re: OT: joys and woes of new computer - couple of questions >> >> > In a message dated 10/9/2006 8:51:21 PM Pacific Daylight Time, >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > writes: >> > I hvae no credit cards listed on the web, fortunately. I >> > dont buy ANYTHING >> > on line - well, I did once or twice, but I avoid it as a >> > whole. >> > IF someone tried to take "large amounts of money" from my >> > bank account they would >> > be in for a big surprise! LOL! >> > >> > I dont use explorer - I took it off the desktop so I couldnt >> > even hit it by mistake. >> > I installed Firefox right away. >> > >> > While much of what you say I'm sure is right, I can't even >> > fathom it... >> > >> > When I get on line I only go to my personal homepage, my >> > cafepress store, >> > photo.net, ebay and craigslist. or to look at pics you guys >> > put up. >> > >> > I never go to any sites have anything to do with >> > entertainment or sports - >> > I don't open attachments or forwarded mail. >> > >> > And I'm keeping my old dial up account for email - for a >> > while at least. >> > >> > ann >> > ======= >> > That will cover most security holes, ann. It really well -- common >> > sense >> > is >> > always the best defense. :-) >> > >> > I do think, however, some of the MS updates are worth it. The first >> > ones, >> > later ones often have to do with Outlook and IE. If one doesn't use >> > them >> > the risk >> > is much, much less. Especially Outlook. >> > >> > It doesn't hurt to go to the update page occasionally and look over the >> > patches. One can pick and choose which to install. Many are useless for >> > a >> > majority >> > of us. >> > >> > I highly recommend though, that you create a system restore point >> > before >> > downloading/installing any update. Go to help on your XP menu bar, then >> > Pick a >> > Task, then Tools, then System Restore, then Set a Restore Point. That >> > saves the >> > current state of your computer so you can set it back if something goes >> > wrong. >> > Actually it's not a bad idea to do it before installing any new >> > program. I >> > forget and don't do it enough. >> > >> > I've probably accepted about 6-8 updates since I started with XP about >> > four-five years ago. Many are to plug security holes in Outlook, so I >> > don't bother >> > with those. Some are foreign language patches, and I don't need those. >> > And >> > some >> > are to plug holes in IE, which I do use occasionally, rarely, but >> > occasionally, so I evaluate those on a case by case basis and see if I >> > think one or >> > another is important or not. And occasionally there is one that is more >> > general, >> > not applying to either Outlook or I.E., and helpful. >> > >> > Yous take yous choice. But always create a restore point first. >> > >> > Avast isn't bad. >> > >> > Marnie aka Doe >> > >> > -- >> > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> > [email protected] >> > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> > >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> [email protected] >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
