critical updates

Hello! Newbie here needing some sound advice. The Software Updater shows me having Java Runtime 6 and 7. I updated 7 a couple days ago and now there is one for 6. Am I supposed to have 2??? I saw the older post that is closed and am wondering what application(s) would make it necessary to have 6, as well.

Also, It is telling me it is Critical to update from IE 8 to 9. I just updated to 8. This is crazy! Every time they change something it takes me months to be able to do what I could on the previous version.

Not to get too far off the subject but Win keeps telling me I need to update all the WORD programs and I don’t use Word unless it happens to open something I click. It says they are security updates but hundreds of MGs to update. Is this necessary? I use Works but it never shows updates for that.

Your expertise will be appreciated.

latest java is 7.21 http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp
uninstall the one that is older

Keeping software and Windows up to date is critical to seating malware free. Vulnerabilities are found in software everyday so companies update them accordingly. It’s been this way for over 20 years now. Part of the responsibility of owning a computer is keeping it up to date. You might want to check into Secuni PSI which will scan your entire pc for out of date software.