About software updates of a computer..

Keeping the software on your computer up to date is very important. Software companies frequently identify security and stability problems in software they have released. When this happens, they typically release a new version of the affected application to prevent users experiencing problems. Failing to update insecure software could make you vulnerable to viruses and spyware, which could allow hackers to take control of your computer and access your personal data.
Operating System Updates
Microsoft frequently releases “patches” for the Windows operating system. These fix security holes and other bugs that have been reported by researchers. Security patches are traditionally released on the first Tuesday of every month – often called “patch Tuesday” within the software industry. Microsoft sometimes release security patches outside of this schedule due to the severity of the security issue. These out-of-cycle patches should be applied immediately.
How to check for Windows Updates – Windows XP
Simply open Internet Explorer and navigate to the Windows Update webpage. The website will perform a quick scan of your computer to determine what updates are needed.
How to check for Windows Updates – Windows Vista/Windows 7
The Microsoft Update feature in Windows Vista and Windows 7 is located in the control panel, accessible from the Start Menu. Click “Check for updates” and the program will begin looking for any available patches.

Updating Web Browsers & Plugins
The web browser spends the majority of its time directly interfacing with the internet. It is constantly exposed to insecure web content, shady websites and data harvesters. It’s important to make sure you always have the latest version of your preferred browser.
Internet Explorer
The latest version of internet explorer can be downloaded from here. The latest updates can be acquired through Microsoft Updates. (See above)
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is designed to automatically check for updates. To perform a manual check, open the ‘About Google Chrome’ dialog from the wench menu.
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox handles updates in the same way as Google Chrome. To force a manual update check, visit the “About” page accessible from the “Help” section of the menu.
Silverlight, Adobe Flash, Oracle Java
There are two excellent ways to update browser plugins that are used to display media on the web. The first is Mozilla’s PluginCheck service, which works on all modern browsers. The second method involved using the small FileHippo Update Checker, which scans your computer and displays all software with an available update.

Software Runtime Environments
Most modern programs require that you have other software installed on your computer before you can use them. These are called runtime environments, which act as a “framework” for other programs, saving programmers valuable time. These environments are responsible for controlling how software is allowed to interact with your computer. For these reason, it’s essential that you get all the latest security patches.