Archives - Microsoft

Use the newest versions of Microsoft Office and other popular apps

Microsoft Office and productivity software in general are both magnets for cyberattacks, since they’re so common, meaning any successful attempt will have huge ripple effects. If possible, you should use the newest versions of these applications, as they’re much more secure than their predecessors and are patched against many known vulnerabilities.

Stop using Internet Explorer

As of June 2022, Microsoft has discontinued support for Internet Explorer and is no longer receiving security updates. This makes it dangerous to continue to use it. The application has since been replaced by Edge, the company’s newest browser. If you wish to continue using a Microsoft browser and are still hanging on to Internet […]

Set automatic software updates

Whether it’s your phone, laptop or PC, connected devices will start to have chinks in their armor without the latest updates for your operating software. They’ll prompt you now and then, but you can set these to occur on their own, without any direct approval. On iOS for instance, go to Settings > General > […]

Keep your personal electronic device software current

Manufacturers issue updates as they discover vulnerabilities in their products. Automatic updates make this easier for many devices—including computers, phones, tablets, and other smart devices—but you may need to manually update other devices. Only apply updates from manufacturer websites and built-in application stores—third-party sites and applications are unreliable and can result in an infected device. […]

Upgrading to Windows 11? Make sure you get the update directly from Microsoft

Microsoft recently released the latest version of its quintessential operating system. The best part? Upgrading from Windows 10 is free. Just make sure you’re installing the update from the official Microsoft website to circumvent any possible security risks, like malware or viruses that could come from third party sites.

Check to see how frequently software vendors produce updates

The more often you update the software on your computer, the better. Programs that haven’t been updated lately are easier for hackers to attack, making your whole system more vulnerable to malware. Before you download software onto your device, check with the vendor to see how often they come out with updates. Big name software […]