Is Windows Update really necessary?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jacob Marley
  • Start date Start date
J

Jacob Marley

Can someone tell me what is at risk if I give up the Windows update? It
seems like far to many times I run into some kind of trouble with one patch
or the other and am really getting tired of the procedure. I have read that
some don't feel updating is needed. Is this true?

TIA

JM
 
Jacob said:
Can someone tell me what is at risk if I give up the Windows update?
It seems like far to many times I run into some kind of trouble with
one patch or the other and am really getting tired of the procedure.
I have read that some don't feel updating is needed. Is this true?
Click to expand...


Some may feel that way, but I certainly don't. Most of these updates are
security-oriented and the risk to your computer, and the computers of others
you correspond with, is great if you don't patch the exposures as they come
to light.
 
The only computer I don't use Windows Update on is the one that's not
connected to the internet.
So far I have not heard of any viruses being transmitted via the AC power
line.

JS
 
Jacob said:
I have read that some don't feel updating is needed. Is this true?
Click to expand...

No, this is not true. You need to keep up with security updates. You can
safely ignore computer advice who tell you keeping up with security patches
isn't necessary.

You risk making yourself the host of spammers (as in, they use an exploit to
install software on your machine that allows them to send spam from your
machine), viruses and remote exploits. Remember, even if you "don't keep
anything important on your computer", it is still a target: People exploit
machines for the network resources more than they do for the data on the
machine these days.
 
Can someone tell me what is at risk if I give up the Windows update? It
seems like far to many times I run into some kind of trouble with one
patch or the other and am really getting tired of the procedure. I have
read that some don't feel updating is needed. Is this true?
Click to expand...

First, don't get hardware driver updates from windows update. Second do a
custom install to see what updates are being offered, take a look to see
what each one does and then decide which ones you want. Third download the
files manually and install them one at a time. Work with the computer after
each install to make sure there are no problems. If there are you can
uninstall that update from Add/Remove programs.

Is your system clean of malware? Are you using any flaky software?
 
Rock said:
First, don't get hardware driver updates from windows update. Second
do a custom install to see what updates are being offered, take a
look to see what each one does and then decide which ones you want. Third
download the files manually and install them one at a time. Work with the
computer after each install to make sure there are no
problems. If there are you can uninstall that update from Add/Remove
programs.
Is your system clean of malware? Are you using any flaky software?
Click to expand...

This is exactly why I am asking this question. I have never been infected
that I know of. I have always used AV SW and a range of other malware
applications. I have been happy with ZoneAlarm Pro for an example as it
explains everything that is going on. Most of which I do not understand and
just do not have time to stop and read something that most of the time is
over my head. This is what I don't like about Windows Update. It seem that I
am always in the middle of something that has me putting off researching the
updates. I recently installed an application that has begun reporting errors
and not launching. Support now has me removing updates and says I must go to
Windows update and install all updates before their SW will work again. I am
not that thrilled about the prospect of this as it seems far to many times I
have had unknown troubles that may have been linked to different updates. I
see that most agree that these updates are needed so I guess I will do it.

Thanks to everyone that offered help.

JM
 
P. Johnson said:
http://ursine.ca/Top_Posting


That one you won't have to worry about as long as it never connects
to any network. The air gap trumps all, unless the network interface
of choice is wifi. :o)
Click to expand...


Although the major source of infection these days is the internet, it's
*not* true that it and other networks are the only dangers. Any external
source of files can carry malware--floppy disks, CDs, thumb drive, external
hard drives, etc. It's not very long ago that floppies were the major source
of contamination.
 
Rock said:
First, don't get hardware driver updates from windows update. Second do a
custom install to see what updates are being offered, take a look to see
what each one does and then decide which ones you want. Third download
the files manually and install them one at a time. Work with the computer
after each install to make sure there are no problems. If there are you
can uninstall that update from Add/Remove programs.

Is your system clean of malware? Are you using any flaky software?
Click to expand...


And -
the only things I would add to that is to disable AV whilst in MU Home - do
Express first for the criticals - make a note of each KB - then go into
their own download site as per Rock - save to C: or disk - one at a time.
Disconnect from the net and install - reboot as a matter of course - check
to see if in Add/Remove.
Reconnect to the net -
Then go back and see what other stuff there is in Custom - I am very picky
here - if I dont want I put them into the Hidden Folder so that I am not
bothered with them again. If I do need any, they are there waiting.
Did this for the last Black Tuesday, and for the first time in four months,
not one problem - though did find WU Home a bit slow getting into a day or
two after the release of the updates. Tried five days later and straight
in. Could have been my ISP being slow - don't think so - I was not alone in
this respect.
But then, some found the above did not work for them.
Some advise a full clean of your system first.
Happy downloading next Black Tuesday :-(
Rgds
Antioch
 
antioch said:
And -
the only things I would add to that is to disable AV whilst in MU
Home - do Express first for the criticals - make a note of each KB -
then go into their own download site as per Rock - save to C: or disk
- one at a time. Disconnect from the net and install - reboot as a
matter of course - check to see if in Add/Remove.
Reconnect to the net -
Then go back and see what other stuff there is in Custom - I am very
picky here - if I dont want I put them into the Hidden Folder so that
I am not bothered with them again. If I do need any, they are there
waiting. Did this for the last Black Tuesday, and for the first time in
four
months, not one problem - though did find WU Home a bit slow getting
into a day or two after the release of the updates. Tried five days
later and straight in. Could have been my ISP being slow - don't
think so - I was not alone in this respect.
But then, some found the above did not work for them.
Some advise a full clean of your system first.
Happy downloading next Black Tuesday :-(
Rgds
Antioch
Click to expand...

Can you get in trouble if you never download anything? The only things I do
online are email and usenet. I never swap files from anyone and never DL any
applications other than online purchases. Would I be considered a low risk
user?

JM
 
Jacob Marley said:
This is exactly why I am asking this question. I have never been infected
that I know of. I have always used AV SW and a range of other malware
applications. I have been happy with ZoneAlarm Pro for an example as it
explains everything that is going on. Most of which I do not understand
and just do not have time to stop and read something that most of the time
is over my head. This is what I don't like about Windows Update. It seem
that I am always in the middle of something that has me putting off
researching the updates. I recently installed an application that has
begun reporting errors and not launching. Support now has me removing
updates and says I must go to Windows update and install all updates
before their SW will work again. I am not that thrilled about the prospect
of this as it seems far to many times I have had unknown troubles that may
have been linked to different updates. I see that most agree that these
updates are needed so I guess I will do it.
Click to expand...



Signature based anti-malware software is reactive. It might not be able to
detect new variations of malware. It is critical that you do everything to
make sure the system is updated to reduce exploit surfaces.

Have you ever been in a major car accident? If no, do you still wear a seat
belt?

If you download and install updates yourself you'll know for sure if a
particularly update is causing a problem. Your approach seems a bit short
sighted to just not do any updates.
 
Although the major source of infection these days is the internet, it's
*not* true that it and other networks are the only dangers. Any external
source of files can carry malware--floppy disks, CDs, thumb drive,
external hard drives, etc. It's not very long ago that floppies were the
major source of contamination.
Click to expand...

This is true: If the machine has contact with any other machine, it should
have a virus scanner. If it doesn't ever get removable media and isn't on
a network, it doesn't need a virus scanner.
 
Jacob Marley said:
Can you get in trouble if you never download anything?
Yes.

The only things I do online are email and usenet.
Click to expand...

Both of which technically involve downloading.
I never swap files from anyone and never DL any applications other than
online purchases. Would I be considered a low risk user?
Click to expand...

Perhaps yes, but presuming that you have a low risk profile can cause you to
lower your guard. And it can only takes *one* lapse or stray mouse click
to set you back.

HTH
-pk
 
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