Patch from the beginning
In the "old days," a computer operator used to receive his security patch via paper tape or punch card. He was expected to remove the outdated or damaged portion of the original tape or deck and "patch in" the replacement. Security patch formats evolved in later years to magnetic tape, disks and then CD ROMs, along with computer technology. The computer user can now download her security patch from the computer company's website or receive it from them automatically. Software companies often download a security patch to their operating systems in this manner.