From the latest scams and fraud to how, when, and why to update your computer, here are the stories that you viewed and clicked on the most this year.
Download security update for Internet Explorer. In September, Microsoft released a security update for Internet Explorer. To help protect your computer, visit Windows Update to download and install the update and ensure that you have automatic updating turned on.
Update your browser. In February, if you had automatic updating turned on, Windows Update automatically upgraded you to Internet Explorer 9. Now you can get Internet Explorer 10.
Is my computer up to date? In March, you clicked on this blog entry to learn how to turn on automatic updating and to make sure that your computer had all of the latest updates.
Beware of ransomware. Nearly a year ago, a lot of you stopped by to learn about the resurgence of this scam. It launches a pop-up window warning that illegal material has been found on your computer and then locks you out of your computer unless you pay a fee. It's still around, and we recently offered new guidance to help you deal with it.
Protect yourself from online tracking. Earlier this year we reported on Tracking Protection, which was a new feature in Internet Explorer 9. Read more about how user privacy protection has evolved and why it is turned on by default in Internet Explorer 10.
Here are five more stories that were popular with you this year:
The newly launched Real vs. Rogue Facebook app from Microsoft features an interactive quiz to help you tell if a security warning is from your real antivirus software or from rogue security software.
There has been an increase in rogue security software over the last few years. It often piggybacks on new software releases and displays fake warnings with the intent to confuse unfamiliar users. This Real vs. Rogue Facebook app can help all of us think twice before we click anywhere near a security warning.
Take the Real vs. Rogue quiz to test your knowledge
If your holiday plans include travel, the following tips can help you stay safer online with a mobile device.
Get more tips on using public computers and wireless devices more safely
Lots of us have new computers and other devices on our gift lists this holiday season. But getting rid of the old ones can seem more daunting than joyful.
If you have two computers that run the Windows operating system, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer your files and settings from one to the other.
Before giving away a computer or device, you can help protect yourself from identity theft by making sure to remove all personal information stored on it. You can use a certified refurbisher (preferred) or do it yourself.
Get guidance on how to dispose of computers and other devices.
Calling all teens!
Here's your chance to create something fun that can help others. Start by reading the eligibility requirements and prize information in the official rules. Then have a look at the online safety materials from Microsoft for ideas to do one of the following:
Participate in the Safer Online Teen Challenge
Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month.
The bulletin announces the release of 7 security updates.
Download the security updates for Microsoft Windows, Word, Windows Server, and Internet Explorer.
Watch a video about the updates.
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Today the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) posted details about the December security updates. On Tuesday, December 11 at approximately 10 AM Pacific Time Microsoft will release 7 bulletins that will address issues in Microsoft Windows, Word, Windows Server and Internet Explorer.
The easiest way to get the updates when they're available is to turn on Windows automatic updating. For more information about how this works, see Understanding Windows automatic updating.
The Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification Service offers details about security updates approximately three business days before they are released. We do this to allow customers (especially IT professionals) to plan for effective deployment of security updates.
Advanced Notification includes information about:
Have you ever received an email or seen a warning page on a website claiming that legal authorities had detected illegal activities on your computer?
This scam infects your computer with a type of malicious software called “ransomware.” The aim of ransomware is to prevent you from using your computer until you pay a fee (the "ransom"). If you see an email or a warning like this, do not follow the payment instructions.
Some ransomware will lock your computer so you can’t use the Internet to get help. But you might be able to fix the problem if you have another computer with a clean operating system and Internet access. You can use it to download Windows Defender Offline onto removable media and then run the recovery tool on your computer.
Learn more about ransomware
See examples of ransomware and learn how to get it off your computer