what if?

[clydeb11]

 if i didn't install the four patches released by ms this week would 4home and my firewall (za) protect my pc from a hacker?

[Vlk]

Bad idea, definitely...

[MikeBCda]

You'll see lots of discussion about "multiple layers" of defense -- but you should make a point of treating those MS Critical Upgrades as the most important layer and keeping them up to date accordingly.  There's almost universal agreement that failure to apply patches is one of the greatest security risks around.

[CharleyO]

Yes, Clyde, get those patches! Why would you not want to?      

And, you should visit MS Update at least once a month. That way, when you do need patches, it doesn't take long to do them.      

[.: Mac :.]

Why would you not want to?

mabye he hates microsoft like me?

[Steele]

You should get the patches.
Since there free to you and can only help secure your system... why pass it off?

I recommend getting them.  
The ultimate decision, of course, is yours.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/200404_windows.asp

[CharleyO]

Well, I'm not the biggest fan of MS neither ... but ... if you are using their product why not get the free patches than make it work the best and safest way possible?          

[clydeb11]

i did install the patches, i was just wondering how safe my pc would be if i didn't install all these ms fixes that seem to come out each month.

[MikeBCda]

Most experts -- at least the ones who make it into the press -- seem to agree that the main reason things like Blaster wreaked such havoc was the large number of people (and businesses, too) who hadn't bothered to keep up with critical upgrades.  They're called "critical" for good reasons -- and the majority of them are long overdue.