Windows Updates: Pick the Low Hanging Fruit
Every month or so, Microsoft releases software updates for everyone using the various flavors of Windows. Some of the updates fix little annoying bugs and some are much more important and plug serious security holes.
Either way, keeping your computers up to date is simple, straightforward and relatively quick.
So why do so few real estate folks do it?
I can’t tell you how many real estate offices I pass through and find years of updates waiting to be installed.
Now you might be saying to yourself, “Why do I need the updates? I don’t have time for that! Plus, things are working just fine. In fact, I am still using a version of ACT! from 2001 and it is working great!”
It’s just not the same. Choosing not to upgrade a program like ACT! on your computer won’t necessarily cause problems for you or your business down the road. Skipping Windows Updates will. It’s almost guaranteed.
It’s like your typical game of cops and robbers (Windows Updates are the cops and the nuts that dream up computer viruses and other hacks are the robbers.). The cops are in hot pursuit, but they always seem to be one step behind the robbers.
The robbers commit the crime and the cops go after them.
Many of the problems the Windows software updates are written to fix are first learned about because hackers create a virus or a worm that successfully exploits them.
Once the security hole is publicized, Microsoft scrambles to plug it.
Ignoring the updates that Microsoft releases is just plain unwise. You will pay for it at some point.
Luckily, the solution is quite simple. As Ron Popeil, the great infomercial “chicken man” says, “Set it and forget it.”
If you are using Windows XP, set it to automatically download and install the updates as Microsoft releases them.
Here are the steps:
1. Go to the Control Panel
2. Double-click on Automatic Updates
3. Make sure Automatic is selected and then choose the update schedule that best fits.
It’s simple. Go do it right now.
