Not updating your computer and not running antivirus software are some of the easiest ways you can become infected with malware. While generally used often by most computer users, vulnerabilities in Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Flash, and Java are some of the most common ways hackers can gain access to your system.

To stay safe, turn on automatic updates in common software you use and in your operating system. Additionally, install antivirus or antimalware software – it’s free for USC staff, faculty and students! For updates Windows Computers, set Windows Update to download and install updates automatically. For updates on Mac OS X computers, check for updates in the Mac App Store on a regular basis.

Third-party applications, included the ones listed above, also require updates. Check in the settings or configuration pages of each application you install to be sure that automatic updates and enabled and installed. It’s also a good idea to routinely verify that updates are installing properly.

Provost IT computers are automatically kept up-to-date on a regular basis, both for Windows Updates and for other common software installed by Provost IT (Adobe Flash, etc.). For more information on this process, click here.