If you have automatic updating turned on (and we hope that you do), you might not even notice when important security updates are installed automatically on your PC. But if you've ever wanted to learn more about the process, now is your chance.

The Windows team has just unveiled a new site that is dedicated to explaining many aspects of Windows Update.

• Learn the difference between Important, Recommended, and Optional Updates.
• Find out how you can choose how Windows installs updates.
• Configure your computer to install Windows updates and Microsoft Office updates all in one place.

For more information, explore the new Windows Update Web site.

A mandatory part of Microsoft product development, the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) plays a critical role in embedding security and privacy into Microsoft software and culture.

Now Microsoft is making SDL tools, process guidance, and training available for every developer.

If you're a developer, or if you just want to explore how the Microsoft SDL works, how it got started, or how it improves the security of Microsoft products, visit Microsoft.com/sdl.

Is your computer filled with files that aren't yours? Desktop cluttered with downloads that you didn't download? Do you have spyware even though you know all the steps to take to avoid getting it? It sounds like you might be sharing a computer.

Whether your shared computer experience is at home with your family or you're an administrator of shared computers in a school or library or other public place, consider downloading Windows SteadyState. Windows SteadyState can return your shared computer and hard disk to the condition it was before anyone changed it. You just restart your computer.

There's no charge and Windows SteadyState now supports Windows Vista.

For more information, see Shared Access Computing with Windows SteadyState.

Today Microsoft released four new security bulletins for Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Exchange Server, DNS (Windows), SQL, WYukon, and WMSDE.

To get the updates, go to the Microsoft Update Web site. To get updates automatically from now on, turn on automatic updating.

To get more technical information about the bulletins, visit Microsoft TechNet.

Last month we told you about the latest Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIR).

If a full report is more than you need, but you want the big picture, try one of these summaries:

• Download an 11-page PDF of the Key Findings Summary.

• Download the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report Home and Small Business Edition .

• (Video) Watch a discussion of the report findings between Bret Arsenault, General Manager of the US National Security Team, and Vinny Gullotto, General Manager of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center.