Expert: Carolyn Meinel - 12/10/2009

Question
I just got a new HP pavilion laptop and I'm concerned about the recent report that a microsoft update is causing a maleware issue or ' the black screen of death ' . are ALL microsoft updates safe and required? or can I choose not to install one that keeps trying to update everytime I shut down that I think is suspicious?

also ( sorry second question ) should I scan a USB flashdrive that I used from a previous computer that had maleware issues and is norton good enough for that plus, spybot search and destroy with CCleaner?

Answer
You are correct, sometimes Windows updates can crash some computers. For example, some of us Windows users (including me!) had our computers crash on "patch Tuesday" this week. (Except in emergencies, Microsoft installs security fixes on Tuesdays.)

Fortunately, Windows is good at recovering from crashes. When you boot up a crashed Windows computer, it begins by checking the hard drive(s) for errors caused by files not being closed properly. Although Windows allows you to cancel this check and repair process, it is best to allow the check and repair to get finished.

Now here's why it is a good idea to allow Windows automatic updates. While sometimes bad things happen with the updates, they aren't nearly as bad as not getting updates as fast as possible. Without the latest updates, your computer might get invaded by a Trojan Horse program run by criminals who will steal your passwords and credit card data, and this could cost you lots of money and hard work straightening up the damage they can do to you.

Regarding flash drives, it is important to wait until your computer has booted up completely before inserting a flash drive or any kind of removable storage, including DVDs and CDs. The danger is boot sector infector viruses which can infect your hard drive just by Windows checking to see what is on these things. In particular, the autoplay feature looks on your flash drive etc. for a program to run and this can activate a boot sector infector virus.

Also, your antivirus program doesn't start up instantly so you run the danger of a virus infecting your computer from a flash drive etc. while the antivirus program is loading. Some of these malicious viruses, Trojans etc. can disable your antivirus program if they catch it before it is fully loaded up and running. In particular, any removable storage from a known infected computer is highly likely to carry some infections, so watch out!