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What is Patch and Update Management?
Patch management is and update management are the regular updating and patching of Operating Systems and applications. Keeping software up to date is important to protect users and their data.
At Carleton, when talking about desktop/laptops, we use the term Patch or KPatch to refer to security patches for third-party applications delivered by the K1000's patching mechanism.
Updates, then, refer to Windows updates delivered by the WSUS server, or macOS updates delivered by the App Store. Also, you can update any of the third party apps listed above by setting their preferences to automatically check for updates or by selecting their check for updates feature. These application updates come directly from the vendor, not through the K1000.
How are Patches Delivered?
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Computers at Carleton are automatically patched in a number of ways:
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K1000 (KBOX) Patch Management
All About K1000 (KBOX) Patch Management
How are Updates Delivered?
Apple Software Updates
Updates for the macOS come directly from Apple via System Preferences. You should apply updates whenever they are available, and consider setting up automatic updates.
Windows Software Update Service (WSUS)
Windows computers are configured to receive Microsoft updates from the WSUS server on campus. This server gets Windows operating system patches, as well as patches for Internet Explorer, Office, and other Windows applications from Microsoft. Windows computers check for new updates at least once a day, and they usually find new updates to apply about twice a month, soon after the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
2) McAfee VirusScan (Windows 7 only)
McAfee VirusScan software is set to automatically retrieve updates at least once a day, usually over the noon hour. Windows computers check for updates and policies from the Carleton McAfee ePO server every 10 minutes.
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3) K1000 (KBOX) Patch Management
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The K1000 receives patches from Lumension , a security company. These patches are then delivered to campus computers. Patches in the K1000 are security related patches only. Feature related patches and upgrades are not available from K1000 patch management. K1000 Patch Management is covered in detail here.
Manual Updates Within Applications
Most applications on campus computers have automatic update checking turned on. Verify automatic update checking is enabled for Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player, Firefox, Google Chrome, Java, and Office for the Mac or contact the ITS HelpDesk (x5999). These applications also have an option to check for updates on demand.
What About Exceptions?
If there is a technical reason that your software cannot be updated, or a custom schedule is needed, contact ITS HelpDesk (x5999).