1. A method in a computing system having a processor, non-volatile memory, and volatile memory, the method for applying a software patch to multiple instances of an executable module, the method comprising, using an automated patching agent: receiving the software patch; in response to receiving the software patch, without user intervention: detecting, by the computing system, a first loading that has transferred a first instance of an executable module to which the received software patch pertains from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory; in response to the detection of the first loading, applying, by the computing system, the received software patch to the first instance of the executable module in volatile memory to modify a portion of the first instance of the executable module, such that the behavior of the first instance of the executable module is modified; detecting, by the computing system, a second loading that has transferred a second instance of the executable module from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory; and in response to the detection of the second loading, applying, by the computing system, the received software patch to the second instance of the executable module in volatile memory to modify a portion of the second instance of the executable module, such that the behavior of the second instance of the executable module is modified.