Do very old Microsoft Updates suddenly come down a Wifi Lan? SOLVED using different method!

Annemos

I am very low-tech, so I apologise if using the wrong terminology. 

I just received my new Ghost Rock Film DVD. My only DVD Player is in my old Vaio Laptop VPCF13 dating to about 2010. 

I connect that VAIO to my equally old Sony TV to watch the actual picture through the TV, which is a bigger screen. 

But with this DVD, I found that the sound was much too quiet. I couldn't get it any louder on the TV or Computer, so I then went on to the next stage ...... 

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For the first time ever on that old Vaio, I switched on the Wi-Fi switch and then it enables one to also switch on the Bluetooth. I could then listen through my JVC Bluetooth enabled Music Player. 

I then very happily watched my Ghost DVD and it was now at a respectable volume for Rock Music! 

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But here is the odd thing. I am not connected to the Internet on that Vaio. But I am connected through the BT Hub for the Wi Fi (and presumably the Bluetooth). 

When I switched it all on again today for a 2nd viewing, there were suddenly 95 Microsoft Updates to be installed. For example, there was an "Update for Microsoft Windows KB2533552" that dates to about 2013 and also lots of updates for Microsoft Office 2010. And various other security updates.

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My question is.... do Microsoft Updates somehow come down the Wi-Fi Lan? I was so surprised to get them all at this late stage and when I was not connected to the Internet.

(Or am I wrong on this. Am I connected to the Internet in fact, but just not browsing? The bottom left corner internet icon has a red cross on it. And when I click on Internet Explorer, it cannot display a webpage. But the "Internet options set-up" tells me I am already connected to the Internet. )

I don't want any updates, as I only use this computer to look at my old photos, normally. 

So I have now switched off Automatic Updates and I hope that stops any more coming in. 


But I am also slightly worried now, because if those Updates could just come down like that, is there actually any additional Security risk to my Vaio if connected to Wi-Fi?  I never browse the Internet on this VAIO. I do not have an Antivirus on this Vaio. I am only on my own secure BT Hub. 


Thanks for any help and advice you can give me. (Apart from getting a whole lot of new tech!!) 

(PS    I LOVE that Vaio!  ) 

teaselMay

What do you mean by it's connected to the wifi but not the internet? Have you turned off the broadband on the router so that you've just an unconnected wifi network?

Annemos

HI teaselMay. You are up late like me. This is driving me a bit crazy. I just updated my Post. 

Can you just take a look at my comments in italics. Thanks everso much!

Annemos

The BT Router is still on. So does Wi-FI mean we are actually automatically on the Internet. Is that how those Updates came down? 

Annemos

Do I have a security risk opening up the Wi-Fi on this Vaio? Or would it only be a risk if I start browsing and accessing websites? (I have no Antivirus on it. I only normally use it for my stored photos! )

teaselMay

Unless you've actively got the router set up to act as a disconnected wifi hub (which you could if you really wanted) then usually if you're connected to the wifi then you'll be connected to the internet too.

If automatic updates are turned on it's usual for them to download if they're due when you connect to the internet. Usually when you've just turned your computer on to do something!

Internet Explorer was retired as a browser a couple of years ago which may be why you can't access the internet despite being connected. Does the laptop have any other browsers installed?

Annemos

No there is no other browser, as far as I can see. I am starting to think maybe this is a risk. I should keep this old Vaio isolated to protect it. (And all my old photos.) 

Do you think that's best?  Thank you very much for responding to this Post. 

(Don't want to disconnect the Hub, as my main Computer is using it. I am on that one now.) 

Good night for now! 

teaselMay

If you decide that you want a browser on the Vaio, what I would do is download the browser software onto the computer you're using now, for example Chrome is here https://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/chrome/dr/download and send to an email account you have on the Vaio, then use that to install chrome on the Vaio.

There is a risk, but the software updates that auto downloaded will have likely been a lot of security fixes and protections. Windows 7 had a rudimentary Windows Defender and then Microsoft Security Essentials. But it sounds as though most of your software will be unsupported now.

If you've got valuable photos I'd make sure that they're backed up on a second drive or the cloud, or both. In addition to the software risk at 14 years old it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that the hard drive will fail.

p00hsticks

Annemos said:

No there is no other browser, as far as I can see. I am starting to think maybe this is a risk. I should keep this old Vaio isolated to protect it. (And all my old photos.) 

As @teaselmay says, the far greater risk to your photos is the Vaio itself having a hardware failure and you not being able to retrieve them, rather than being hacked through the internet. 

Take back up copies onto a USB stick or similar,,,,,

400ixl

By connecting it to your wifi router, you have connected it to the internet.

Whilst it may well have then updated to the latest set of updates, it sounds like you are on an old version of Windows. If it is before Windows 10 then yes you are opening yourself up to a lot of risk.

Turn off wifi now and get it off the internet.

Bluetooth isn't so much of an issue so connecting it to your sound system will be fine.

flaneurs_lobster

Another vote for getting those photos backed up from the Vaio if that's your only copy.