The security specialist software development company Secunia is known
for detecting weak spots in programs. That's why the primary function of the update tool, the Personal Software Inspector (PSI), is to first load critical patches in popular programs. Due to this, the online database behind it is also not so extensive and it comprises only a little more than 4,000 applications. On the bright side, PSI takes thorough action-it scans the complete hard disk for EXE files as well as DLL files and reads the corresponding version information from the library in order to assess the topicality of the software installed.

The tool then compiles a signature for each and every program found and sends it to the Secunia server which checks it against its database. Next, PSI prepares a security report on how many unsafe versions require an update. With this methodology PSI offers a complete package when it comes to the downloading of updates. Furthermore, a wizard guides the user to the suitable link-he only has to click it.



PSI is the most user-friendly of all the update tool applications featured here.
The welcome screen informs the user of all relevant information, such as the last time a full system scan was run and state of their applications-are they insecure, about to expire or patched. If there are any security concerns, PSI will automatically alert the user with warnings. The historic development of your system since using the Secuina system store option is also displayed prominently in the form of a timeline bar chart, where the current score is compared to the state of the machine during the previous ten weeks. Furthermore, a graphical application overview, in the form of a pie chart displays the number of programs patched, unsecured and expired.

During the scan process, Secunia follows a series of steps which includes downloading search rules from the Secunia server via secure HTTP protocols, searching files on local fixed drives, collecting information about files and the operating system, determining missing Microsoft security patches, and matching data with the Secunia file signatures engine. Once the scan has been successfully completed, a pop-up window displaying the current Secunia system score appears.
: Uncheck the option 'Only display easy to L!pdate programs' in the 'Settings' dialog box. This enables PSI to also make a list of software for which it does not offer downloads, for instance, Microsoft components like the Core XML Services.