GET INTERNET EXPLORER UPDTE IMMEDIATELY

 If you’re wondering why we didn’t put out a notice this week when the IE security issue blew up, there are two main reasons why we didn’t hit the panic button and get you all stirred up.

But first, if you rely on Internet Explorer as your web browser, let’s take care of that problem. You can get an update from Microsoft, and we strongly recommend you download and install it now.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Click on the Start button

• Click on Control Panel

• Click on Check for Updates on the left side of your screen

• Click on the update for your version of IE

• Reboot your computer after the update is installed

Once you complete these steps, you can go back on the Internet using any browser you like.

With your IE update successfully installed, here’s our reasoning on staying calm.

The first reason is that this really wasn’t earth-shaking news. The security problem with IE started back in 2001 with the release of IE 6, and it has continued through IE 11.

The second reason is that we believed that rushing to download Firefox or Chrome browsers could have created more problems. Businesses have been using IE for many years and are set in their ways. Mass changes at the spur of the moment would have upset a lot of work routines, and the likelihood of inefficiencies were greater than the likelihood of security breaches. That’s our opinion.

An extension of the rush to download a new program is a problem we’ve discussed before. When people download programs in a hurry, some don’t look at everything carefully. They can make the wrong choices and get versions riddled with spyware and malware that could disrupt their computers and networks and lead to bad security problems.

XP users have dodged a security bullet this time around. Whatever you want to say about Microsoft, the company has acted responsibly to plug up this hole. XP users may not be as fortunate the next time around. It’s time to stop playing electronic Russian roulette and move on to new technology.