startupware.com

These popular software packages have recent security updates, and there are malware products “in the wild” on websites and bad emails that take advantage of security gaps in old versions, and sometimes in current versions.
All these products need to be updated regularly, if installed.

On all of these, watch for offers to install toolbars or third-party products during installation, and choose the option to not include them. All toolbars are startupware, specifically browser helper objects, and they increase the loading time of browsers; two is too many.

There should not be multiple versions of any of these products. Check in add/remove programs for old versions of Java or Flash/Flashplayer, and remove all but the newest version.

Adobe Flashplayer 10,0,45,2 (New as of 2/12/2010)
http://www.adobe.com
version test is here:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15507.html
Update from the ‘Help’ menu, ‘Check for Updates…’

Adobe Reader 9.3.1 (New as of 2/26/2010)
http://www.adobe.com
version number in Help, About menu item

Adobe Shockwave 11.5.6.606
http://www.adobe.com
version test is here: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/

Apple iTunes 9.0.3 (New as of Feb. 9, 2010)
http://www.apple.com
version number in Help, About menu item

Apple QuickTime 7.6.5
Installer test is here:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/troubleshooting/

Java 6, update 18
http://www.java.com
version test is here:
http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1

(Current version numbers are as of February 27, 2010)
This page is updated on the MS Windows update schedule–the second Tuesday of each month.