To mitigate computer vulnerabilities, one must keep application software and operating system software up to date.

1. Run Microsoft Update : Click Here and choose the Express option to receive high-priority updates. If it fails, restart your computer and try again.

2. Upgrade to Adobe 9 : Click Here.

3. Upgrade to Adobe Air 1.5 Click Here.

4. Upgrade to Adobe Flash Player 10.0.12.36 : Click Here. Install ActiveX control at the top of browser.

5. Download Java SE Development Kit (JDK) 6 Update 11 : First delete all old version(s) of Java from your computer: Start Control Panel Add or Remove Programs Remove all old versions of Java, for e.g., Java(TM) 6 Update 3. After all old Java versions are removed, Click Here Click the Second Download to download Java SE Development Kit (JDK) 6 Update 11. Select Platform: Windows. Check I agree to terms. Click Continue. Click jdk-6u11-windows-i586-p.exe Click Run Click Run Click Accept to Terms Click Next (Custom Setup) Click Next Click Finish Close the Window to Register Now!

6. Install Site Advisor : Click Here. Restart your computer when complete.

The below are additional software to keep current.

Keep Firefox and Thunderbird Email client current: Firefox 3.0.5 : http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.19 :

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/

Set AntiVirus Software to automatically download updates & new versions: McAfee AntiVirus :

http://us.mcafee.com/root/landingpages/affLandPage.asp?affid=101&lpname=17106&aco=0&cid=53507&siteID=qBNKlhsBsB4-Lnk4C26IgxfYBoU43WdZew

ZoneAlarm AntiVirus : http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/promotions/zaav/zaav_121008.htm

Norton AntiVirus: http://store.norton.com/v2.0-img/operations/symantus/site/promo/pd/pt_navnis09_360_us_17.html

TrendMicro Internet Security: http://store.trendmicro.com/us/tis? gclid=CP3qv8ye7JcCFQ4NDQodb0t1DA

Kaspersky AntiVirus: http://usa.kaspersky.com/products_services/internet-security.php?aw=kaspersky&CMP=KNC-DJ2899729106&HBX_PK=kaspersky&HBX_OU=50

Keep the below application versions current: Spybot Search & Destroy 1.6 : http://www.download.com/Spybot-

Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html Ad-Aware : http://www.lavasoft.com/?domain=lavasoftusa.com Swatit: http://www.swatit.org/

Keep AntiRootkit software current: RootkitRevealer v1.71 :

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897445.aspx F-Secure BlackLight http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/ system virginity verifier http://www.antirootkit.com/software/System-

Virginity-Verifier.htm -- blue pill hypervisor based rootkit - joana rokowska

GMER: http://www.gmer.net/index.php IceSword http://www.antirootkit.com/software/IceSword.htm coming

from a sophisticated programmer in china PatchGuard 64 bit (vista, win2003 sp1

http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsvistasecurity/archive/2006/08/11/695993.aspx

IE updates will download when Windows patches are downloaded: IE 7 for Windows XP :

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=9AE91EBE-3385-447C-8A30-081805B2F90B&displaylang=en

Microsoft updates will download when Windows patches are downloaded: MS Office 2003 :

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/CD010224941033.aspx MS Office 2007 :

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101687261033.aspx

Keep the below application versions current: Real Player for Windows Build 6.0.14.806 / 6.0.12.1675,

http://www.realplayer.com/ iTunes 8.0 (Windows) : http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/  

//includes QuickTime 7.5.51. Quick Time v7.5 (Windows)

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

After all the application software and the operating system software are up to date, this protects from most malware attacks, because most vulnerabilities were resolved, but this does not give the user free license to surf the web to unsafe websites. The user must still practice safe web surfing to known and trusted sites.