You don’t need to install more than one antivirus program . In fact, running more than one antivirus program at the same time can cause conflicts and errors that make your antivirus protection less effective or not effective at all. Windows 7 and Windows Vista include spyware protection called...

Judy writes: My virus protection doesn't seem to want to stay on. I’ve been able to turn it back on, but when I shut down and then restart my computer later, the virus protection is off again . Is this some kind of Halloween trick? Having a virus is no treat Achieving 100 percent protection...

Want to know an easy way to make sure you have the most up-to-date security settings and software for your Windows operating system? Microsoft offers a free downloadable tool that scans your computer and makes recommended changes based on your current settings. Run the Microsoft Malware Prevention...

The most recent Microsoft Security Intelligence Reports (SIR) describes the ongoing threat of the Conficker worm and urges businesses and individuals to apply security updates. Microsoft first recognized the Conficker threat in November 2008 and since then the Microsoft Malware Protection Center has...

Have you recently installed Microsoft Security Essentials? Earlier this month, the development tools and data services company, OPSWAT , announced that Microsoft’s free antivirus software was the most popular antivirus program in North America during the last 12 months. Microsoft Security Essentials...

If you’re browsing the web and you see a security warning, beware. Cybercriminals use fake security warnings (also known as “ rogue security software ”) to steal personal information or to charge you for a program that doesn’t work. You should only download software from a...

I recently received two email messages from people who had been the victims of cybercrime. These people weren’t just readers of our blog—they work on our team. That means that they spend almost every day thinking about viruses , online fraud , security updates , and other issues of computer...

Electronic greeting cards are easy, cheap, and fun to get and send, but cybercriminals also use them to try to steal your personal information or to spread malicious software. Legitimate companies have standard, obvious ways for you to recognize that the email is not a fraud. For example, with...

Microsoft Security Essentials (free antivirus and antispyware software) is now available for small businesses. Small business owners can download and install Microsoft Security Essentials for no cost. For more information, see Microsoft Security Essentials available to Small Businesses on October...

We can increase collective computer security by taking cues from the healthcare industry, argues Scott Charney, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Trustworthy Computing. Charney outlined this position in a recently published paper entitled Collective Defense: Applying Public Health Models to the...

A reader recently asked us if they need both Microsoft Security Essentials (free antivirus and antispyware software) and another security suite that requires a paid subscription service. The short answer? No. The long answer? Microsoft Security Essentials is free software that helps protect against...

If you think you have a computer virus or other security help needs, you can get free help at the new Virus and Security Solution Center . You can: Find out if you have a virus with the Windows Live Safety Scanner . Get rid of viruses with the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal tool . ...

It's true that a slow computer could be a sign of a virus or other malicious software, but it could be something else. If your computer is acting funny, take these three steps to help diagnose the problem: 1. Scan your computer for viruses with Windows Live Safety Scanner . 2. Remove viruses...

Our friend Ed from Microsoft Office recently stopped by to fill us in on how to reduce the risks associated with opening potentially unsafe files. Here's what Ed has to say: With hackers working overtime to create sophisticated tricks, computer viruses, worms, and other huge hassles that cost us...

Our friends on the Microsoft support team tell us that they’ve heard a lot of complaints lately about Win32/FakeRean , a rogue antivirus program that claims to scan your computer for viruses and spyware and displays fake warnings. Win32/FakeRean isn’t new. According to the Microsoft Malware...

If you think your computer has been infected with a virus , spyware , or other malicious software there are a few steps you can take to help remove it: Visit Microsoft Update and install the latest updates. If you currently use antivirus software , visit the manufacturer's website, update your...

Lately we've been recommending that you to download our new free antivirus and antispyware software called Microsoft Security Essentials . Read what others are saying about it. The Lifehacker blog recently called Microsoft Security Essentials "a great antivirus application" and told readers that they...

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download for home computers running on the Windows operating system. This software helps protect your computer from viruses, spyware, and other malware. Windows Defender is built into Windows Vista and Windows 7 and it's available as a free download for Windows...

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. Today Microsoft released 13 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...

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...

Today Microsoft unveiled Microsoft Security Essentials , a no cost beta version of a new kind of hassle-free security software designed for people who don’t want to spend too much time thinking about computer security. Download the beta. Sales of Microsoft’s current antivirus software, Windows...

In the last few weeks, the Internet has been rife with rumors about how the Conficker worm was set to explode (or at least release a mysterious payload) on April 1. April 1, 2009 is now in our rear view mirror and so far not much has changed. Microsoft recognizes that crime on the Internet is a...

I recently received the fraudulent e-mail message that's copied at the bottom of this post. It has all of the hallmarks of the classic e-mail scam: · It references “ my recent purchase, ” but I haven't purchased any tickets on Delta. · "Joe Abraham" did not send it from a Delta e - mail address...

The new computer worm called Conficker has been in the news a lot lately. We'll admit that the reports can be confusing, even to us. But the most important fact about the Conficker worm is that it can be dangerous and you may be at risk if you or your computer administrator have fallen behind in security...

Today Microsoft announced a US $250,000 reward for information that results in the arrest and conviction of those responsible for illegally launching the Conficker malicious code on the Internet. Microsoft recognizes that the Conficker worm is a criminal attack and wants to help authorities catch...