A reader tells us that he uses Windows Defender to scan his computer for adware and spyware every other day. So far it has reported finding no problems. However, he writes, he also scans his computer with two other antispyware programs -- Ad Aware...

Want to know more about staying safe online? Microsoft security expert, Kristin Johnsen will be doing several radio interviews during the week of January 15-19 to offer solutions on the best ways to stay secure online in 2007. Kristin will discuss...

You're happily surfing the Web when suddenly a barrage of annoying advertisements in tiny windows covers the screen. How annoying. What's so bad about pop-up ads? Advertisements that pop up in small windows on your screen aren’t just annoying: they...

Windows Vista is officially available, so we thought it was time for you to get to know this new operating system. Here are five security features in Windows Vista that might just surprise you: 1. Check your spyware protection through the...

Cookies are small files that Web sites put on your computer hard disk drive when you first visit. Think of a cookie as an identification card that's uniquely yours. Its job is to notify the site when you've returned. Cookies should not be confused...

Was your identity stolen on the Internet by a criminal? Did you lose finances online due to a phishing Web site? We want to hear about your experiences with online fraud or scams like phishing . Criminals and their scams are getting more and more...

In a previous blog entry we asked you to contact us if you've experienced online fraud or phishing . We received several questions from people who weren't sure if the e-mail messages they'd received were phishing scams. Although we can't respond...

In the past few weeks we've received dozens messages from readers who've received e-mails that claimed to be from Microsoft. The mails stated that the recipient was the winner of a large amount of money. These e-mails are a type of scam called ...

By now you've probably heard about the rise of identity theft on the Internet. One of the most common forms of fraud is called a phishing scam. What is a phishing scam? Phishing scams are fraudulent e-mail or Web sites that try to fool you into...

The New York Times recently posted an article about a team at Microsoft that works in a "windowless room" investigating how programs skulk around the Internet turning computers into zombies. We thought this sounded a little scarier than it really...

The Microsoft BlueHat conference is a semi-annual event that brings together internal Microsoft security professionals and external security researchers to network and share ideas. BlueHat v8 was held October 16–17. It consisted of two full days...

According to the Associated Press , French police said that in October of this year they arrested two men for breaking into the personal bank account of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The BBC says that the Internet hackers probably didn't know...

Holiday shopping online is a great way to save time and sometimes money—as long as you take a few precautions to protect yourself from phishing scams and identity theft. Here are five tips for safer shopping on the Internet. 1. Use an updated Web...

If you use the latest version of Internet Explorer, you might have noticed that occasionally your address bar turns green, especially when you're about to enter your credit card number. In Internet Explorer, a green address bar means that the...

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. This month Microsoft released 8 security updates. Get the updates To download the updates, visit the Microsoft Update Web site . If you have automatic updating turned on...

Today Microsoft released an urgent security update for Internet Explorer. Because the flaw may expose computers to remote code execution, the severity rating for this security update is critical. From the moment we learned of the issue, Microsoft...

The Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC ) recently noted the inevitable increase in holiday-themed viruses and worms. There's not much new about this malware: You get an e-mail or instant message that promises a greeting, holiday image, or...

Studies show that unprotected computers can be compromised within minutes. Log on to the Internet without antivirus software or other protection and your computer might fall victim to malware that could damage your system or surreptitiously involve your...

Calling all parents, teachers, and anyone else who's interested in taking control of the way we share personal information online. Young and old alike, we are all jumping on the social networking bandwagon, often without any fear of the risks involved...

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. This month Microsoft released one security update.   Get the update To download the update, visit the Microsoft Update Web site . If you have automatic updating turned on, your...

You and your kids might already know the dangers of sharing your e-mail address with people that you don’t know. But everyone who e-mails you might not know this. They could forward an e-mail message that you or your kids send, or add you or your kids...

Do you blog and post pictures that chronicle your everyday activities? Or are you more likely to request that your name be removed from online directories? Take this short quiz to find out about your privacy profile. Help keep safe from fraud...

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. This month Microsoft released 4 security updates. Get the updates To download the updates, visit the Microsoft Update Web site . If you have automatic updating turned on...

As we near the second decade of the 21 st century we're entrusting governments and other organizations with more and more of our personal information. How governments and corporations manage this information is called Data Governance. Microsoft...

If your idea of Girl Scouts is cookies and lanyards, then you need to get yourself to the 21st century. Cookies and lanyards are hardly a thing of the past, but Girl Scouts have also kept up with changing times. To help support that, Microsoft recently...