Here at rackAID, we spend a lot of time patching and securing servers. Keeping a server patched is the cornerstone of a good security management plan. However, a secure server is useless if your desktop has security holes. Secunia has released PSI. PSI stands for "personal software inspector." The utility scans your system for outdated software and patches. We use a similar tool called Nessusto keep servers secure. PSI is easy to use and a good way to scan your system for outdated software.
I downloaded and ran PSI on an older laptop of mine that is running WinXP. The scanner detected multiple insecure applications. Most of these were versions of the Adobe reader and an old version of Java JRE that I need for a certain application.
The nice thing about the scanner is it returns links so you can easily download updates. Did I mention it is free? Similar scanners for networks or the enterprise can cost thousands. This is the best free one I have found that is easy to use.
You can have it scan your system on boot to assure you have the latest software.
Using PSI with security tools from GriSoft helps me keep my various boxes secured.
Also, Secunia is a great place to check security history for web applications. If you want to install an off-the-shelf web app, I suggest you search for it at Secunia. Some products have recurring security problems. This is a red flag and you should look for alternatives.
