Windows Automatic Updates - HP ProCurve NAC 800 User Manual

Tests Help
Operating System – Windows
B-16
Test Properties: Select the hotfixes from the list presented that are required on
your network. This list will occasionally change as tests are updated. If needed
select Deep Check to permit endpoint tests to run at the file level. The most
secure option is to select the All critical updates option, as this requires all the
critical patches that have been released or that will be released by Microsoft.
You don't have to keep checking by patch number.
How Does this Affect Me?: Hotfixes are programs that update the software and
may include performance enhancements, bug fixes, security enhancements,
and so on. There is usually only one fix in a hotfix, whereas a patch includes
multiple hotfixes.
What Do I Need to Do?: Manually initiate an update check at http://
www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/muoptdefault.aspx?retur-
nurl=http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate&ln=en-us or by
clicking on one of the update numbers underlined at the right side of the
window as shown in figure B-1.

Windows Automatic Updates

Description: This test verifies that the endpoint attempting to connect to your
system has Windows Automatic Updates enabled.
Test Properties: Select the minimum setting for Windows automatic updates
that is required of endpoints attempting to connect to your network.
■ On – Download and install automatically
On – Download automatically but notify before installing (Recom-
■
mended)
■ On – Notify before downloading and installing
Off – No action taken (Not recommended)
■
How Does this Affect Me?: Microsoft periodically releases software updates to
"patch holes" (vulnerabilities) and incorporate other fixes and updates.
Although you can manually initiate an update check (http://v4.windowsup-
date.microsoft.com/en/default.asp), automatically checking for updates
ensures a higher level of security. Updates can be service packs or hotfixes.
Read more about Windows Update here: http://www.microsoft.com/security/
protect/update.asp.