TechConfidence™

Whether your computer is running Windows XP or Windows Vista, you should have Automatic Updates enabled, so your computer can automatically download and install the latest security fixes for Windows and Internet Explorer.

Did you know, though, that you can upgrade for free to Microsoft Update, which also automatically grabs updates for Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Windows Live Messenger, and other Microsoft products?

In Windows Vista, all you have to do is:

1. Click the Start button
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click Check for Updates
4. Click Change Settings (on the left)
5. Check the box for Use Microsoft Update
6. Click OK
7. Confirm the change

In Windows XP, it’s a little different. Open up Internet Explorer and browse to http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-US. From there, follow the instructions to install Microsoft Update.

A shameless plug to be sure, since I manage the organization that runs the site, but BadwareBusters.org is dedicated to helping people protect themselves and their computers from viruses, spyware, and other badware. The site is easy to use and has a great volunteer community. If you have questions about anti-virus software, how to detect or remove viruses, or how to protect a blog or website from being infected, be sure to check it out.

If you like to keep notes or lists using your PC, you might want to consider Evernote. This free product/service combination includes software you can use on your Windows computer, automatic syncing to Evernote’s Internet servers, and a web version that you can use from anywhere. I use it to clip interesting web content and to keep track of recipes, restaurants I want to try, movies I’d like to see, ideas for blog posts, and more. I like that I can access and add to my notes from any web browser, as well as keep multiple PCs in sync. Features that I haven’t tried include syncing with an iPhone, publishing the notebook to the web for public viewing, and more. There’s also a paid subscription available for people who want to take advantage of more storage space and certain advanced features.