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The H Update Check

The H's Update Check helps you get a grip on a major security problem – outdated programs with known security vulnerabilities. If your PC is running an old browser version or an outdated version of Adobe Reader, or is missing Windows updates, your data is easy prey for cyber criminals. Simply visiting an innocuous-looking website is often all it takes to become infected with spyware which steals passwords or online banking access details.

A small test program developed by Danish company Secunia checks for missed updates for Windows and other important programs. To do this, it needs to access your hard drive, however no personal data is collected, transferred or stored (see the privacy policy). The test works with all common browsers but does require Java. You must also agree to the request to execute SecuniaSoftwareInspector on the next page before the scan can start.

If Update Check detects software which contains known security vulnerabilities, the results list will display a link for bringing the program up to date. You should then update all indicated programs sequentially until the test no longer indicates a security risk. If you have multiple copies of programs such as Java installed on your computer, you may have to remove redundant old versions manually.

Once Update Check reports no further unsecured programs, you can be sure that your operating system and major applications are up to date and that your computer is a whole lot more secure. Secunia's free Personal Software Inspector (PSI) recognises even more programs and helps you keep them up to date.