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 Protection Center (MMPC) blog, this nasty little rogue has been around since at least August of last year. The MMPC also reports that Win32/FakeRean goes by different names and different looking interfaces and can customize itself according to which operating system you’re running.

Here are some of the fake names that Win32/FakeRean uses:

• Antispyware Vista
• Desktop Defender 2010
• PC Security 2009
• Security Central
• XP Antispyware 2009 or 2010

For more information, including a long list of other names for this rogue software, see Malware Protection Center: Win32/FakeRean.

If you have accidentally downloaded this software, you might see a warning that looks like this:

Or you might see a window that looks like this:

For a list of the most widespread threats to computers right now, see View active malware.

If you suspect that you've downloaded rogue security software onto your computer, run a scan with the Windows Live Safety Scanner and make sure that you have updated antivirus and antispyware software (like Microsoft Security Essentials) running on your computer. For more information and to watch videos on how to protect yourself against these threats, see Watch out for fake virus alerts.

For more technical information, download Research paper: The modern rogue - malware with a face.

In the past we’ve told you about malvertising, fake online advertising designed to trick you into downloading malicious software onto your computer. Lately cybercriminals have been sneaking malicious ads into trusted ad networks.

The Microsoft SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer 8 protects you from websites that contain phishing threats and malicious software.

If you see a warning like the one below when you try to visit a site that you trust, it could be because that site has been a victim of a malvertising scam. For more information, see Protect Yourself from Malicious Advertisements with Internet Explorer 8.

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. Today Microsoft released 2 new security updates. 

You don’t need a personal IT staff or even a geeky family member to help keep your home computer safe from viruses, hackers, and other threats.

Microsoft offers the following free security tools and scans:

·         Microsoft Security Essentials

Downloadable software that helps protect against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

·         Windows Live Safety Scanner

Web-based service that gives you quick, on-demand PC health and security scans to help you diagnose and solve problems in Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Also see the Windows Live Safety Scanner for Windows XP.

·         Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

On Demand service that checks your computer for specific and prevalent strains of malicious software.

·         Microsoft Update

Get updates for your operating system and all of your Microsoft software, including Microsoft Office.

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:

1. Visit Microsoft Update and install the latest updates.
2. If you currently use antivirus software, visit the manufacturer's website, update your software, and then perform a thorough scan of your computer. If you don't use antivirus software, try Microsoft Security Essentials, free software that helps scan for viruses and helps remove them.
3. Download, install, and run the Malicious Software Removal Tool. This tool does not prevent viruses from infecting your system; it helps to remove existing viruses.

If you’ve tried all these steps and you think you still have a virus or if you want extra help with these steps, contact Microsoft support.

If you would prefer to bring your computer to a local repair person or to have someone come to you, use the Microsoft PinPoint tool to enter your zip code and find a Microsoft partner in your area.

Visit Microsoft PinPoint.

Here's a screenshot of what your results might look like:

April Fools' Day has come and gone, but cybercriminals have not stopped trying to trick Internet users into parting with their hard earned cash.

A popular technique these days is the advance fee fraud. That's when a cybercriminal sends you an e-mail message that promises a large amount of money in return for a small initial payment.

The most popular form of advance fee fraud is the lottery scam, but there are others. Recently we told you about the MSN Auto Protection Plan scam and we read something on Snopes (a popular scam-busting site) about inheritance scams. These scams claim that an unknown relative has left you a large sum of money and in order to claim it, you must pay for "processing fees." Don't be fooled. Don't send money or offer any personal information.

To learn more about this scam, see Snopes: Windfall Inheritance.

To find out how to protect yourself, see Avoid advance fee fraud and other lottery scams.

I like trees as much as the next guy, but I haven’t retired my printer yet. Good thing, because our Online Safety team created some new brochures that are perfect for printing and posting at your desk at home or at work. And if you’re an IT expert among your friends and family, passing these on to them wouldn’t hurt either.