I've been receiving pop-up notices on my pc that there are updates available for Java and Adobe. Maybe there's not a good answer to this question, but what's the best way to install them:

1. Simply install over the existing versions?
2. Uninstall the existing versions via the programs uninstaller or Windows Add/Remove Programs and then reinstall the new versions?
3. Some other approach?

There's JavaRa to uninstall previous versions of Java before you install newer versions of Java, but Adobe? I'd avoid all things Adobe unless it's Photoshop. (And then I'd still be careful.) Adobe Reader, Adobe PDF Creator, etc. are rife with spyware. You be careful.

Well not all things Adobe are to be avoided. What are you going to do with out Flash which is an Adobe product?

Don't forget Secunia Software Inspector to scan your PC for the most common programs and vulnerabilities:
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online

Uninstall the Adobe Flash Player plug-in and ActiveX control:
http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewConten...rnalId=tn_14157

What am I gonna do?
WHAT AM I GONNA DO?!
WHAT AM I GONNA DO??!!

Nothing actually, I like Flash.

I think it's the Reader (PDF) products that are evil. I don't have them. I don't need them. I have Photoshop 5.5, that one is clean. The newer CS Photoshops are riddled, bloated, and yes, inherently evil. They'll eat your children alive if you're not looking.