There’s another scam making the rounds that promises to deliver an urgent security update from Microsoft. These e-mail messages attempt to lure you to Web sites to download spyware or other unwanted software. They may also include a file attachment that contains a virus.
Microsoft does not send unsolicited communications about security updates
Microsoft sends e-mail messages to subscribers of our security communications when we release information about a security software update or security incident, but these messages will not contain attachments.
How to help verify the legitimacy of a security-related e-mail
· Legitimate notifications do not include software updates as attachments. We never attach software updates to our security communications. Rather, we refer customers to our Web site for complete information about the software update or security incident.
· Legitimate notifications are also on Microsoft.com. We never send notices about security updates or incidents until after we publish information about them on our Web site. Check the Microsoft Security Updates page to see whether the information is listed there.
For more information see Scams that use the Microsoft name or product names.
To help protect your computer from spyware, viruses, and other malicious software, download Microsoft Security Essentials.
Today marks the launch of Microsoft Security Essentials, a new, no-cost security software for your computer. Security Essentials can help you defend against viruses and spyware, including Trojans, worms, and other malicious software. One of the best parts about Microsoft Security Essentials is how easy it is to get and keep your PC protected. After a quick, hassle-free install, it works quietly in the background to keep your computer protected and alerts you only when you need to take action.
For more information or to download, see Microsoft Security Essentials.
Already have Microsoft Security Essentials and looking for help? Check out Microsoft Answers.
If you receive an e-mail message that tells you that you have won the Microsoft Lottery or any lottery, delete the message. There is no Microsoft Lottery. There are other lotteries, of course, but if you don’t remember entering them, then the e-mail message is probably a scam. This type of scam is designed to convince you to send cyber criminals money or to hand over your personal information in advance of receiving your prize. That’s why this scam is sometimes called Advance Fee Fraud.
For more information about Advance Fee Fraud or how Microsoft is working with Western Union and The United States Postal Inspection Service to help you avoid this scam, see Avoid Advance Fee Fraud and other lottery scams.
For more information about other kinds of fraud, see How to reduce the risk of online fraud.
These days our online lives look a lot like our offline lives. We hang out with our friends. We shop. We’re entertained. So, just as you wouldn’t leave your house without your driver’s license or other identification card, it makes sense that you need a similar information card to use online.
Windows CardSpace helps you control your digital identity, which helps make online activities (like shopping and social networking) safer and more efficient.
To learn more, see What is Windows CardSpace?
Or watch Windows CardSpace in action on their demo page.
Ready for Windows CardSpace? Get it now.
Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. Today Microsoft released 5 new security updates.
Get the updates
To download the updates, visit the Microsoft Update Web site. If you have automatic updating turned on, your computer will update and install these security updates.
Read more about the updates.
Get technical information about the updates
For technical details, visit Microsoft TechNet.
Back in February we talked about how to help protect your personal information on the social networking site, Facebook. Since then Facebook has grown exponentially and the one truism about computer security is that cyber criminals follow the crowds.
We’ve heard about lots of scams on Facebook, ranging from spam sent out from accounts without the owner’s knowledge, to stolen personal information (identity theft).
Fortunately, Facebook has some great resources available to help. If your account has been hacked or if you think a friends account has been hacked, check these resources first:
· Facebook security
· Security: Account was hacked or “phished”
· Facebook security tips
You can also get some general advice on how to avoid phishing scams and other online fraud here:
· Reduce the risk of online fraud
· Scams that promise money, gifts, or prizes
· How to handle suspicious e-mail