How do I know that a microsoft update is real?

Question

I just got my computer back from the shop for a bad virus when I accepted a microsoft update. I have another microsoft update wanting for me to accept it. Is there anyway to know if this is a real update or somebody trying to put that virus in my computer again. I am tired formatting my computer.

Answer 1

ok, here is the deal... Microsoft updates are just bad! The reason being, is they are generic fixes. Sometimes, you do not need the updates, and you get them anyway and your computer loses its mind. Somes, you have things that run your computer, that are just for that model computer, for an example, you have a certain program that controls that computer's hard drive to work right... well, the windows update, sees that program as bad, and the program kicks you much needed hard drive porgram out the door, and you comptuer crashes, and in most cases your dead in the water now... Most legit computer repair shops, (And geek squad is not, I worked there I know what they do) would have "formated your computer" meaning they would have made your computer " like new" when you brought it home, basicaly stripped it back to day one. Thats they ONLY way to get a virus off your system. ANY antivirus program, just segerates it form the rest of your computer, so it can not get infected. Its never really gone, Despite what they; the program, says! Now, my friend, just cancel any updates; YOU WILL BE GALD YOU DID. your computer will run much faster too.

Answer 2

Microsoft doesnt send security alerts or update alerts to your email. All of those emails are fakes and contain viruses. I use Yahoo based email. Whenever I get an email stating that there is a an update available I have the option to scan it. A virus is always present.

Answer 3

Instead of letting the computer automatically get Microsoft updates I do it myself every couple weeks. That way I know I instituted the connection I went to the Microsoft site and I supervise the updates.



It sounds like you might need to add some spy ware protection.



You should have Windows Defender. It is free from Microsoft and watches your system prevents programs from taking over your home page etc.



Go here to read about and get it - http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security...



Two other free programs you should get & run about once a week are Spybot and Adaware. They also are free and you can get them both here - http://www.download.com/



Between those three you are doing a pretty good job of protecting your system.

Answer 4

Hi, your comp shouldn't've caught a virus from an MS update, if you downloaded it from the official source: http://update.microsoft.com (Windows Update).



Have you, or anyone else who might've used your comp, opened any e-mails claiming to be from Microsoft? If so, that could be the source of the problem. Never open any such e-mails - delete them immediately. Microsoft never sends updates by e-mail.



Updates are obtained by the user (you) via update.microsoft.com so that their site can detect your system settings, to issue the relevant updates for your operating system.



To reduce the risk of viruses, be careful what you download, don't visit suspicious sites and download unknown files, and you should be OK. I don't use anti-virus software myself, because I don't take such risks, reducing the need for one. So that's one less program to have to load, which frees up system resources for better performance. Though I do use a firewall.



I know what you mean about formatting though, but you can take very simple measures to prevent having to do that so often. I haven't needed to format any of my systems for a couple of years now. But it hasn't always been like that - this is something of a personal record-breaker for me. Good luck!



Info & tools:-



http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx -

Protect your PC

3 steps to help ensure your PC is protected.



http://housecall.trendmicro.com -

Trend Micro - Free online virus scan.



Information about firewalls -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_%28networking%29 (Full definition on the different types of firewall).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_firewall (Personal [software] firewall).



http://www.zonelabs.com - ZoneAlarm - One of many good software firewalls that controls inbound and outbound connections from your computer, with lots of other useful settings.



http://www.lavasoft.com -

Ad-Aware is a program from Lavasoft that detects and removes software on a user's computer that is determined to be spyware. It also detects dialers, trojans, malware, data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.



http://www.safer-networking.org -

Spybot - Search & Destroy is a malware, spyware and adware removal program which works on Microsoft Windows 95 and later. Spybot-S&D scans the computer hard disk and/or RAM for malicious software.

Answer 5

well you could check the Microsoft.com website and search the update. or if you could I'm not sure about this one but go system restore and create a milestone or whatever it is called and if it is a virus you could go back to that point on your hard drive. You could just get an anti-virus system though. oh if you get it via email it is fake, just get a good mail service and scan it for viruses.

Answer 6

2 options set your computer for automatic updates or if you don't like that then click start then Windows update. Never click on a email link to update.