As the title said, there are endless badware that have been seeking every chance to insert itself into an innocent user's PC operating system through security holes, misleading info, etc. Then how can we protect ourselves from those greyware even malware? Read up this post and get the longtime solutions.

Keeping Windows and other software up to date can help patch security holes, improve performance and even provide more features. Though you likely won't be instantly hacked if running older software, updating is essential for an overall healthy computer.

Here I share some tips on how to keep your computer updated:

Upgrade from Windows XP. If you're still using Windows XP, try to upgrade to a more modern version, such as Windows 7 or 8. Microsoft quit supporting version XP back in April of this year. It's no longer receiving any updates to fix security holes in Windows and most other Microsoft software running in XP, such as Internet Explorer, Microsoft Security Essentials, and Microsoft Office 2003.

Though it may be possible to upgrade an older computer that currently runs XP to a newer Windows version, in most cases purchasing a new computer is best. The old components may not work with the newer Windows software.

Keep in mind, Windows Vista is the next version to lose Microsoft support, which is less than two and a half years from now.

Ensure Windows Update is enabled. Windows Update is the feature or component of Windows that retrieves and installs system and other software updates. By default, Windows Update is set to download and install updates automatically. However, you should periodically double-check it's enabled and/or ensure the latest updates are installed.

In Windows Vista and 7, click the Start Menu in the bottom-left of the screen, type "windows update", and hit Enter. In Windows 8 and 8.1, click the button in the bottom-left to access the Start Screen, type "windows update", choose Settings on the right, and then open Windows Update from the search results on the left.

On the Windows Update window, you can check if updates are available and also access the settings.

Keep other software up to date. Windows Update does not check for or download updates for all your software. Some software tries to automatically update and most at least alert you to update. Don't ignore these updates, especially for software from Adobe, Java and Apple. These are some of the most vulnerable programs.

You can use utilities, such as Software Informer Client or Ninite Updater, to help check for or even download updates for you.

Be cautious about updates. Keep in mind that hackers and crooks commonly use update alerts to lure you into downloading viruses, adware and other junk. Keep in mind, any updates or other alerts displayed inside webpages or via website pop-ups are usually fake. They design these to look real and you can easily be mistaken.

If you have any doubt about the legitimacy of an alert, visit the website of the vendor (such as http://www.adobe.com for Adobe Reader or Flash Player or http://www.java.com for Java) and download the update directly. Furthermore, if you're seeing fake alerts you may have adware or malware on your computer and should get it checked by a professional.

Eric Geier is the owner of On Spot Techs, which provides on-site computer repair and IT services at homes and businesses in the Dayton, Springfield and Northern Cincinnati areas. For more information, visit http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/lifestyles/computer-update-tips-for-your-protection/nhwh4/