Security Updates -- Are they necessary in Linux for user?

[monty19@ hotmail.com]

Unfortunately, security updates are necessary for virtually every major 
operating system.  Not all of those 213 updates are necessarilly for 
security flaws.  Some may be for bugs that cause programs to behave 
incorrectly or crash, and a few may install upgraded versions of programs 
with new features.  A lot though, may be very necessary in order to keep 
your system secure.

For instance, if you are browsing the internet with an old version of 
Firefox with a security flaw, it may be possible for a malicious website to 
run code that would allow someone to take control of your system (only as an 
example)

I have here running Windows Vista, Fedora 6 (and 7 Test 1), Solaris 10 
11/06, Mac OS X 10.4.8, FreeBSD 6.2, and every single one of them has 
updates for one reason or another (FreeBSD 6.2 was only just released, so I 
don't think any updates for security yet).  Your not going to escape the 
need by changing OS'es.