| Many everyday Internet Users do not know why they | | | | kind of old, anyway." |
| must keep their computer Operating Systems | | | | Here, then, are the Shocking facts about updating PC |
| Up-To-Date - and many don't even know what an | | | | Operating Systems. |
| Operating System is! From "ignorance is bliss" to | | | | There are many unaware Internet users who have |
| "surprise attack and disaster" - how many thousands | | | | been online for years, but lack in these ares: |
| of Internet users have experienced this frustration and | | | | * They don't know what "Updating" really means. |
| grief? | | | | * They have never responded to the popup message |
| This raises the obvious question: "Why haven't they | | | | associated with the icon in the Task tray that |
| prepared to avoid it?" | | | | announces new Windows Updates. |
| The startling fact is that there are many long term | | | | * They have never clicked on the Windows Update |
| Internet users who have never even considered | | | | icon in the Program Start menu. |
| updating their Operating Systems and protective | | | | * They have never visited the Microsoft Windows |
| Safe-ware. | | | | Update web page at |
| Perhaps the complexity of it all contributes to what | | | | * They have never updated their PC Operating |
| might be described as User apathy - or indifference | | | | Systems. |
| and a lack of enthusiasm toward the following: | | | | Even if they have been able to navigate to the |
| * The news of yet another vulnerability or patch | | | | Microsoft Update webpage, many just throw up their |
| process. | | | | hands in despair at the overwhelming number of |
| * The potential damage to computer, personal | | | | choices and unknowns, such as: |
| information and reputation - i.e. the "It can't happen to | | | | * Choosing what to update from the long list of options. |
| me" attitude. | | | | * Waiting for Windows to check the registry for |
| * Their own abilities - i.e. "I'm too old, too dumb, too | | | | available updates. |
| whatever - to learn how to fix a computer without | | | | * Deciphering the Update descriptions (and instructions). |
| breaking something." | | | | * Selecting or Removing the necessary options. |
| * Updating - i.e. "My computer came with an anti-virus | | | | * Starting the download. |
| program, so why does it need to be updated now?" | | | | And oftentimes, many people have never even used |
| The sad fact is that the lack of confidence people | | | | the Windows Help information to find out how to |
| have in their ability to build a defense often leads to a | | | | update their computer Operating Systems. |
| reluctance to even accept the reality of Cyber | | | | How many self taught or untrained computer users |
| Threats. | | | | are going to persevere through all of the hassle |
| Some of the lesser-experienced Internet users | | | | described above? Is it any wonder so many |
| rationalize their lack of action with pessimism, even | | | | computers become infected? The criminal Hackers |
| defeatism. Human nature often supports these | | | | building their bot and zombie armies have nearly an |
| excuses with defensive attitudes and mis-beliefs like: | | | | open and undefended playing field; many are using it |
| * False sense of disaster support - "My nephew, | | | | every day to steal money and identities. |
| neighbor, son or whoever, is a computer whizz. They'll | | | | So, what is the solution to this problem? |
| be able to fix the problem if anything ever happens." | | | | If individuals with computer "understanding" would help |
| * Scepticism - "All this talk about viruses is just so the | | | | and assist others with less knowledge, there would |
| "news people" will have information for publishing, and | | | | probably be less of a problem. |
| so the software manufactureres can scare people | | | | Nearly everyone who has faithfully kept their PC |
| into buying more of their products." | | | | Operating Systems and Safe-ware up to date surely |
| * Ignorance (of the extent of deception, skills and | | | | has family members and friends who could benefit |
| sophistication that the malicious hackers have attained). | | | | from an hour or so of basic instructions. This would |
| * Disbelief (that personal computer might be infected | | | | make it much more difficult for the criminal Hackers to |
| and used by others to spread malicious viruses and | | | | compromise another persons computer. |
| worms). "My computer seems to be working ok - a | | | | Hacker's would eventually be faced with a growing |
| little slow, maybe, but it is getting pretty old." | | | | number of adequately protected computers, educated |
| * Overwhemed (too many choices with firewalls, | | | | Users and hopefully would finally give-up trying! offers |
| anti-virus, anti- spam, anti-spyware, Trojan removers). | | | | new and enhanced Spyware Remover Software. Not |
| "Why do I need all of these and which ones should I | | | | only will these programs effectively check and clean |
| use?" or "Do I really need to update my Operating | | | | your computer from Spyware, once installed they will |
| System, my anti virus, spam, spyware stuff?"...I'll just | | | | also shield your computer from future Spyware |
| never learn how to do all of this. | | | | intrusions and browser hijacks - before the malevolent |
| * Expense (How much will all this cost and is it really | | | | software even have a chance to enter you PC! |
| necessary?) | | | | Spyware Remover Software is an important function |
| * Fatalism - "Hey, if it's going to happen, it will, and I'll just | | | | all computer use. |
| junk my computer and get another one. Mine's getting | | | | |