Got the latest software

It’s always good to have the latest software installed on your computer. Software developers are constantly striving to keep ahead of the security risks and conflictions with other software. Unless you have a preference for a certain version of a program you use, don’t hesitate to update when a new version comes out.

How do you find the version number of any software program you use? Most programs have a menu toolbar at the top of the page, where you should see a Help sub-menu. Just click on Help and then on ‘About x’, where x is the name of the program.

Here is a list of commonly used software and their latest versions. All programs listed in the table are free. I am including a hyperlink with each program to enable you to go straight to the web site (Download.com) for the latest download.

Program	Latest version	Get it here
Ad-Aware 2008 (To check, click the ‘I’ on the main page)	7.1.0.8	Ad-Aware 2008
Adobe Reader	8.1.2	Adobe Reader
Avast Anti-virus	4.8.1201.80516	Avast Anti-virus
AVG Anti-virus	8.0.1	AVG Anti-virus
BitLord	1.1	BitLord
CCleaner	2.07.575	CCleaner
Google Talk	1.0.0.104	Google Talk
Java Runtime Environment	6, update 4	Java Runtime Environment
LimeWire	4.16.7	LimeWire
Picasa	2.7	Picasa
Skype	3.8.0.115	Skype
Spybot Search and Destroy	1.5.2	Spybot
Windows Live Messenger	8.1	Windows Live Messenger

I haven’t included any ‘media’ players in the list. If you are happy using the versions you have, then there is really no need to update them unless you find you cannot play something that needs the latest version. This is usually related to the type of codec (compression/decompression software) used when recording the media. (I dislike Windows Media Player version 11, so I’m sticking with version 10.)

If any of your normally free programs mention paying a fee when you visit the above web sites, look a little closer and you will find a free download link to click on. They want you to pay so they don't make it easy for you to see there's still a fine free program. For example, I have AVG 8 and it's an improvement on previous versions. It will remove the previous version of AVG as it installs. By the way, Download.com is a great web site for all sorts of free software, so add it to your favorite web sites.

The various editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista each have a different version. Your computer should be configured to receive automatic updates that may require your permission to download and install. Click here if you are not sure whether you are up to date.

That’s all for now, and remember, let’s do it to them before they do it to us!