We use the Qualys Cloud Agent to monitor for software and operating system updates on your computer.  Usually, computers report various vulnerabilities in the form of updates that are needed at a particular time.  While not all updates can (or should) be applied by the user, there are some that are usually benign and require no special privileges.  Applying updates in just these few area can go a long way to making your computer more secure and to better protect your data.

Generally, the vulnerabilities we find fall into these categories:

1. Microsoft Office/Outlook/Edge/Windows
   These can usually be remediated by allowing Windows to apply its own updates. You can do this in one of two ways.
   1. Right click "Start", then click on "Shut down or sign out".  If there are options "Update and shut down" or "Update and restart", select one of those to apply updates.
   2. Right click "Start", then "Settings", then "Update & Security"
      1. Click "Check Updates" if none are listed to make sure you are up to date.  
      2. Click "Install Now" if there are updates waiting to be applied.
      3. Click "Schedule Restart" (or "Reboot Now") if updates were applied and Windows is waiting for a reboot
   3. The best time to apply these updates is at the end of your workday or on a weekend.  They can take a long time to apply, especially if it is a major update.
   4. Be sure to click "Check optional updates" and apply those as well. 
      
      
2. Browser and other software updates
   Web browsers and other applications receive updates periodically.  You should apply any updates as soon as possible.
   1. Browsers (FireFox/Chrome/Edge)
      1. Sometimes they update themselves when you open them
      2. If updates are not automatically applied, clicking "Help" and then "About" from the browser menu will usually force an update if one is available.
      3. Alternatively, if you never use a particular browser it should be uninstalled.  IIT is developing ways to do this remotely.  We currently have a remote uninstall method for Firefox and can develop methods for other browsers.  Contact IIT staff if you would prefer to have the browser removed.
         
         
   2. Other software
      1. Some applications will let you know that an update is available when you open them.  If so, apply the update as soon as possible.
      2. When an application detects an update, it will sometimes ask you to update it right away, and the update will happen automatically.
      3. Another good way to check on application updates is to click "Help" and then "About".  Often, there will be a link or button there that you can use to apply updates.
      4. Please contact IIT via helpdesk@pharmacy.wisc.edu if you need help with any update.