Welcome to day 8!  Today we want your opinions on patch management and system updates.  In this modern world where the gap between vulnerability and exploit is rapidly closing, and exploit code is being delivered via popular websites and ads it is as important as ever to keep your system and applications up to date.

To get you started...when I set up a Windows computer for my family and friends the following are essential:

• ensure Windows Update is turned, set to install recommended updates and configured to install updates daily at a time when the computer is likely to be on.
• install Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI). PSI monitors your Windows applications, lets you know when applications are out of date, and provides download links to help remediate. PSI is free for non-commercial use.

Now it's your turn.  What tools and techniques do you use to ensure the systems under your control are up to date?

As usual the comment feature below or our contact form are awaiting your sage advice.

 UPDATE:

Dave R. Commented that he likes to use WSUSOffline.  It can be carried, software and patches, on a USB thumb drive.  Just plug it in and patch.

-- Rick Wanner - rwanner at isc dot sans dot org - http://namedeplume.blogspot.com/ - Twitter:namedeplume (Protected)