This page will provide you with links to the latest versions of software you’ll need to keep your computer safe. If your computer isn’t properly protected, clicking a link could cause you to download malware that could harm your computer.
Since you may be coming to this site because your computer isn’t protected, none of the Web URLs below are implemented as links. Copy and paste them to your browser’s address bar and you can be completely sure you’re going where you think you are going.
Once your computer is fully updated and protected, you’ll be much safer when clicking on links.
Where to get browser plug-in updates
Most computer exploits are caused by out-of-date browser plug-ins.
You should never click links to download updates to Flash, Acrobat (Adobe Reader), QuickTime, and SilverLight. That’s because malicious sites will sometimes download exploits that will corrupt your computer.
Here’s where you should go to get your updates. Type the bold-faced URLs into your browser so you are sure you’re going to the proper locations:
- Download Adobe Flash from adobe.com
- Download Adobe Acrobat (Acrobat Reader) from adobe.com
- Download QuickTime from quicktime.com
- Download Microsoft’s Silverlight from silverlight.net/getstarted. Look for the Windows or Mac runtime buttons.
Where to get browser updates
If you’re not running a current browser, you should consider updating that as well.
Each browser is updated in a different way.
- If you’re using Internet Explorer, run Windows update to get the latest browser version.
- If you’re using a Mac and using Safari, use the Mac updater to get the latest browser version.
- If you’re using Firefox, type mozilla.com into your browser and download the latest Firefox.
- If you’re using Safari on Windows, type apple.com/safari into your browser and download the latest version.
- If you’re using Google Chrome, type google.com/chrome into your browser and download the latest version.
Free anti-virus and spyware resources
If you’re not running anti-virus or anti-spyware software, you’re definitely at risk, especially if you’re running a Windows-based PC.
If you’re running a Windows PC, we recommend downloading Microsoft Security Essentials, which is free to anyone running a legitimate copy of Windows (and if you’re not, you should). Although Microsoft Security Essentials is likely to become the most visible of anti-virus and anti-spyware products, there’s no doubt that Microsoft both has the resources and motivation to throw real resources behind Windows defense.
You can download Microsoft Security Essentials at microsoft.com/security_essentials.
If you are not running a legitimate copy of Windows, you are putting your financial well-being and your computer’s security at risk. This is not a time to be running a pirated operating system. You should immediately upgrade your OS to a legitimate copy that you can be sure is not running malware.
Macs do also suffer from malware. If you’re running a Mac, both McAffee (mcafee.com) and Symantec (symantec.com) offer Mac-based anti-virus programs. You can also go to apple.com and purchase anti-virus programs from the Apple store. Unfortunately, there isn’t a free Mac-based anti-virus program we can recommend.
Linux users generally have avoided viruses, but there’s no guarantee. Both Kapersky (kaspersky.com/anti-virus_linux_workstation) and AVG (free.avg.com/us-en/download) offer free anti-virus programs for Linux workstations.
