Alan asks:
“How do I know if I’m running the latest version of Internet Explorer?”
To check which version of Internet Explorer you’re using:
The latest version of Internet Explorer is available at Microsoft.com/IE. At the time of this writing, the latest version is Internet Explorer 9. Once you’ve downloaded Internet Explorer 9 you can get all the latest updates for this browser (as well as updates for the Windows operating system and other Microsoft software) by turning on automatic updating.
Learn more about security in Internet Explorer 9.
Online bullying is a popular topic on the news and in schools, but according to a recent Microsoft study, it’s not a popular topic at home.
Microsoft just released the results of a global youth online behavior survey to examine a range of online behaviors among youth – from “meanness” (least severe) to online bullying or cruelty (most severe), and everything in between.
The study found that kids are worried about online bullying and want to talk about it. However, according to the study, only 29 percent of kids say their parents have talked to them about the issue.
Read more about the Microsoft Global Youth Online Behavior Study.
Kids need to know that adults can and will help them. To assist parents and educators with these conversations, Microsoft has created some new resources:
According to a new study by McAfee Research, one in every six personal computers has no working anti-virus protection.
Without anti-virus software your computer is vulnerable to viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. In March of this year, the development tools and data services company, OPSWAT, announced that Microsoft’s free anti-virus software was the most popular antivirus program in North America during the last 12 months.
Download Microsoft Security Essentials for free.
Several high-profile companies recently reported that user passwords had been stolen from their sites. If you use these sites you should login and change your password. Even if you don’t use these sites, it’s a good idea to regularly change your passwords.
Here are more ways to protect your accounts:
Don’t use the same passwords for every site. Cybercriminals steal passwords on websites that have weak security, and then they use that same password and user name in more secure environments, such as banking websites.
Create long and complex passwords. Make passwords with at least 8 characters and use a combination of letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers. Learn what makes a strong password.
Go directly to a website to change your password. Emails that include links to change your password or ask you send password information by email to confirm your account could be fraudulent. To change your password, use your favorite links or enter the URL directly into your browser.
June is Internet Safety Month and everyone has a responsibility when it comes to making the Internet a safer experience.
Join Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in spreading the word. This month, talk to your kids about online safety, defend your computer and devices, and take steps to avoid scams.
More ways to protect yourself on the Internet:
Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month.
The bulletin announces the release of 7 security updates:
Get the updates.
Watch a video about the updates.
To get more information about security updates and other privacy and security issues delivered to your email inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Today the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) posted details about the June security updates. On Tuesday, June 12 at approximately 10 AM Pacific Time Microsoft will release 8 bulletins.
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:
This month Microsoft teamed up with Facebook to offer its free anti-virus protection. Microsoft Security Essentials is now one of the choices in Facebook Anti-Virus Marketplace to help protect your computer.
Microsoft Security Essentials:
And (good news), even if you don’t use Facebook, you can still download Microsoft Security Essentials for free.
More information