Updating your Apple Macintosh OS X operating system

For all Macintosh computers, on campus or at your home:

Use the Macintosh OSX automatic "Software Update" feature from System Preferences to request updates at any time, or set up an automated schedule to check for updates. (You must be connected to the Internet.) We recommend that you set your automated updates to "daily." Online directions are also available from Apple Computer.

NOTE: If you run Windows on your Intel Mac via Parallels or VMware Fusion you must also keep your Windows operating system and antivirus up-to-date. A virtual Windows computer is just as vulnerable to malware as any other Windows computer, and can easily become compromised if you don't update your protections regularly.

To make sure your Mac is up-to-date:

1. Open "System Preferences" and select "Software Update."
2. Click the "Check for updates" box, and set the menu to "Daily."
3. Click the "Check now" button to check for updates.