“Patch Tuesday” is the day every month when Microsoft released their Security Bulletin Summary for the respective month.

This month (October 2009) there are important updates for Windows 7 (RC) and Windows 7 64-bit (RC), as well as security patches for Windows XP and Vista (32 and 64-bit) – So whatever Windows operating system you’re running, you’ll need to download and install the relevant free updates ASAP, if you haven’t already done so.

Why should I patch my system?

Because many of the malware threats  that the numerous media channels keep chortling on about shouldn’t be of any kind of threat to you if you’ve installed the latest round of Microsoft’s security updates. If you don’t then you’re asking for infection.

Security companies and organisations are constantly trying every way to hack Windows installations on a 24/7, 365-days-a-year basis. Why? Because they’re doing their utmost to beat the malware writers to it. – But it’s never very long before the news of their findings leaks out, and malware writers create nasties which attack unpatched systems.

Whilst it’s true that anti-malware companies are adding many new malware signatures to their products on a daily basis so that their programs can defend against the new threats if need be; Windows users who update their machines with the latest patches from Microsoft as they are released will find themselves immune to most of them even if they should become infected.

Why will my machine become immune to a lot of malware if I patch it?

Because a heck of a lot of these nasties get onto a computer’s hard-drive by exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities, and/or they exploit a security hole that remains unpatched which they need in order to infest the system. If you’re properly patched then most of these nasties are rendered harmless. – But don’t become complacent though: Although many infections can be prevented by Microsoft’s patches; not all of the malware types are neutralised by their efforts. This is why it’s always important to have a good anti-malware setup running at all times. While no anti-malware setup is infallible, they play an important part in preventing infection of and possibly also damage to your box by malware. – The malware writers don’t care that running some of their badly-coded programs can damage your hardware eventually. All they care about is that it executes and makes them money by defrauding as many people as possible while your box lasts out running it.

“- Fair comment; but what if I’m running Win 9x (Windows ME, Windows 98 SE, Windows 98, Windows 95.)? Microsoft don’t offer me any patches for those operating systems.”

Quite; which is why, unless you know exactly what you’re doing, and know the workings of the Win 9x operating system you’re using inside-out and off by heart in minute detail, you shouldn’t be running any operating system older than Windows 2000. In fact after Windows 7 is released you shouldn’t be running anything older than XP.

Why not run anything older than XP?

Microsoft don’t offer any security updates for these operating systems any longer and you’re a sitting target for malware. Besides putting yourself at a high risk, you’re also an open target for a malware infestation and are putting everybody else at risk too. In addition you’ll probably find that a machine running Win 9x is part of a botnet and working for a criminal organisation. – That means that your computer running Win 9x could be distributing spam, illegal pornography, stolen personal details, even attacking other computers and engaging in industrial espionage: All of which could land you in jail as the user!

If you’re running Win 9x then take your machine offline at once and keep it offline, or destroy your operating system CD, format your hard-drive, and buy a secondhand original copy of Windows XP. – Or better still; scrap your old computer, and buy or build a new one with Windows 7 installed on it.

In short: If you’re running Windows XP, Vista, or 7; update it. If you’re running Windows 9x; bin it. – End of story.

- Oh, and, if you do run Windows XP; update your browser to Internet Explorer 7 or 8, and use Firefox, Safari, Opera, or even Google Chrome, for browsing the internet: You’ll get a much better picture on your screen if you do.

“*There are no pictures in this article.”

Correct. – How observant of you to notice.