Research in the newly released Microsoft Security Intelligence Report Volume 11 reveals how social engineering techniques contribute to the spread of computer infections. Attacks that require user-interaction (social engineering) to spread accounted for...

Today the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) posted details about the September security updates . On Tuesday, October 11 2011, at approximately 10 AM Pacific Time, Microsoft will release eight bulletins. The easiest way to get security updates...

At Microsoft, we are committed to serving communities and working responsibly, both globally and locally. Through our partnerships, our technology innovations, our people, and our resources we strive to help solve societal challenges and create economic...

You might have heard that Microsoft is in the process of buying Skype , the popular Internet video and voice communications company. We thought this would be a good time to show you how to be more secure and help protect your privacy when you use Skype...

Microsoft has officially announced that our civil case against the operators of the Rustock botnet (a major source of spam) has been closed and our teams have turned over the information we’ve gathered to the FBI. The Rustock botnet is considered...

If you’re a parent, guardian, or a caregiver for kids, parental controls can help you control the content that your kids see on the Internet or on their Xbox. You can use parental controls to help support your own house rules and you can even customize...

To get an engineer’s perspective about how Microsoft SmartScreen and Windows Defender will function in the next version of the Windows operating system, read Building Windows 8: Protecting you from malware or watch the video below.

We recently received this email: “My Hotmail account was hacked and taken over by the classic ‘I'm in London and I’ve been mugged’ scam . It appears that the hacker has changed the basic verification information on the account...

Last month, we told you how to recycle an old PC more safely. We suggested that you use an authorized refurbisher or disk-cleaning software to make sure that all of your personal information was removed from your computer before you gave it away. Since...

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. Today Microsoft released 5 security updates. 2 updates for Microsoft Windows 1 update for Microsoft Office 1 update for Microsoft Excel 1 update for Microsoft SharePoint...

Today the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) posted details about the September security updates . On Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at approximately 10 AM Pacific Time, Microsoft will release 5 bulletins. The easiest way to get security updates...

Digital citizenship is usually defined as a set of standards of behavior for technology use. Adults, teens, and even younger children can learn how to be good digital citizens. On September 8, 2011 Microsoft released a white paper about digital citizenship...

Create multiple user accounts to increase your online security and your family’s privacy. We recommend that you create a standard user account and log on with that account, rather than an administrator account , even if you’re the only...

The Microsoft Privacy Team and the Microsoft Online Safety Team have gathered all the latest news in privacy and online safety, so you don’t have to. If you like what you see below, follow @MSFTPrivacy and @Safer_Online . Microsoft’s...

The independent security research and testing organization, NSS Labs , just released two reports that say Internet Explorer leads the field in protection against socially engineered malware, specifically fake links that you might see in an email or on...

Beth writes: “I could not get my Windows Defender to work after installing Microsoft Security Essentials. Why?” Windows 7 and Windows Vista both come with antispyware software called Windows Defender. If you want to protect your computer...

Are you curious about what happens when someone complains about offensive behavior on Xbox LIVE ? The Xbox LIVE Policy and Enforcement team, including Boris Erickson, Xbox LIVE Enforcement Unicorn Ninja (that’s his real job title) help make sure...

If you use Office XP or Windows Vista Service Pack 1, upgrade now to help keep your computer safe. On July 12, 2011 both Office XP and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 reached the end of the Extended Support phase of their lifecycles. This means Microsoft...

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. Today Microsoft released 13 security updates. 8 updates for Microsoft Windows 2 updates for .NET Framework 1 update for Windows Visio 1 update for Microsoft Internet...

It’s human nature to want the newest of the new, especially when it comes to technology. But you can get over any guilt you might feel about upgrading to a new computer, by recycling your old computer. There are two safety concerns that you should...

The Hotmail team has been busy. Three of our favorite new security improvements are: No more easy passwords. You might know that millions of people use the word “password” as their password. But did you know that millions of people also...

If you use Internet Explorer 9 , you’ve probably noticed the new yellow notification bar. One of the things the notification bar tells you is that an add-on might slow down your computer’s performance. The notification also tells you how to...

The official Twitter account for the Microsoft Privacy team has relaunched at twitter.com/MSFTPrivacy. @MSFTPrivacy was launched for us to engage in real-time with our privacy community. We will use this channel to talk about privacy issues, while...

This week, Richard Boscovich, Senior Attorney for the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, announced a $250,000 bounty for information that results in the identification, arrest, and criminal conviction of those responsible for controlling the Rustock botnet...

Right now, in the United States, summer vacation season is here and so are scams . Here are three tips to help you avoid summer travel scams. 1. Watch out for deals that look too good to be true. If you’re still making vacation plans, then you’re...