As you sit at your computer surfing the Internet you are unaware of a war that is being waged between Microsoft and people who want to get popups, viruses and spy ware on your computer.  The popups are caused by advertisers trying to get your attention.  The spy ware can come from many different places but it usually is used to track your Internet use so advertisers will know what products to market to you.  And viruses are usually created by people who’s only intent is to make Microsoft look bad. 

The most important step you should take to protect your computer from these type attacks is to use Microsoft Windows update.  As people find new ways to attack your computer Microsoft is constantly coming up with new ways to prevent them from doing so.  Microsoft includes this feature with all Windows operating systems since Windows 98.  This will check for updates and download them from the Microsoft web site. 

To use this feature click on the start button and you will see windows update on the menu popup.  If you are unable to find this feature you can go to www.windowsupdate.com and this site will make sure the latest update program is on your computer.  When you click on your Windows update program it will direct you to a site that will check your computer for any updates that haven’t been installed.  It will give you the option to install all the updates that aren’t currently on your computer. 

These updates are often directed at businesses that require more security than the average home user needs, but it will also have many other good things that everyone can make good use of.  One of the things it will do for you is to make sure you have the latest browser on your computer.  Most browsers are being made so they have popup blocking built in them.  It will also have updates that will fix problems in your operating system that have been found since it was first developed.  This can sometimes fix problems that you might be having with your computer locking up.  It will also help with issues of security that most people are worried about these days.