Up-to-date is the key to security
A major disadvantage of Windows operating systems is that there is no centralized software-based solution that would take care of actuality of a software of third party developers. In the Linux world is such software since long time a part of the operating system. SuSE Linux Yast does this function, Debain offers APT numerous graphical user interfaces (for example Synaptic).
As an administrator of a Windows operating system, it will become increasingly difficult over time, to keep the overview of the installed software. Precisely for this reason, the developers from Secunia developed a software called Secunia PSI. This program is, according to the manufacturer is able to review more than 4700 applications and the quantity of the database is growing with each day.
The program works like this: it collects information about the system and transmits it via an encrypted HTTPS connection to the server where the data is finally evaluated.
Secunia PSI is still in beta and does not yet entirely reliable. There are still problems with programs that run without installation, because Secunia PSI is not able to find it. Although, I found the program very helpful. I was able to recognize, for example, that my WinSCP-Installation is very old and it was very importnant for me. The program is also free for private use and I find thic fact very positive.