Microsoft Just Fixed 570 Windows Security Problems. Update Your Computer Today.

Microsoft released its July security update, and it is the largest in company history. The update fixes 570 security problems in Windows. Two of these flaws are particularly serious because attackers are already using them to break into computers.

When hackers find and use these vulnerabilities before a fix is available, they are called zero-days. The update also addresses 61 problems rated as critical, meaning they could allow attackers to take complete control of your computer. This affects everyone who uses a Windows computer. That includes desktop PCs, laptops, and tablets running any version of Windows that Microsoft still supports.

If you use a Windows computer at home for email, web browsing, banking, shopping, or anything else, you are potentially at risk until you install this update. The two vulnerabilities already being exploited mean attackers have working methods to break into unpatched systems right now.

Here is what you need to do immediately:

1. Go to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update, and click Check for updates.
2. Install all available updates, even if it takes time or requires restarting your computer multiple times.
3. Restart your computer when prompted, even if it is inconvenient. Many security updates do not fully protect you until after a restart.
4. After updating, check Windows Update again to make sure no additional updates are waiting.
5. Do this for every Windows computer in your home, including computers your children use and any laptops that might not be used daily. Make Windows updates a regular habit. Set aside time once a week to check for updates on all your computers. Better yet, enable automatic updates so your computer installs security fixes without you needing to remember. Go to Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update, and then Advanced options to turn on automatic updates. While updates can sometimes feel like an interruption, they are one of the most important things you can do to keep your family's information safe. Skipping updates is like leaving your front door unlocked in a neighborhood where burglaries are happening.