Last week we told you about how to avoid fake donation websites and emails if you want to help Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims.

Eweek reports that cybercriminals have also started using Japanese earthquake related search terms to lead people to their malicious websites. These fraudulent websites show up in search results of people looking for news and information about the earthquake. If you click on these sites, you might be infected with software that could steal your personal information or might make your computer display fake virus alerts that trick you into paying for a fraudulent product or service.

Here are two free ways to help protect you against these fraudulent search results:

• Download and install Internet Explorer 9, which includes the SmartScreen Filter to help protect you against fraudulent websites.
• Download and install Microsoft Security Essentials to help protect against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.