Here's another form of Internet fraud that combines a variety of other common scams- social engineering , fake security software , and phishing . Cybercriminals have started calling people on the telephone, claiming to be from Microsoft, and offering...

Today 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. Note: This update replaces the Fix it that...

John writes: I got an email saying that illegal materials were found on my computer and it would be locked until I paid a fine. Is this a scam? Yes, this sounds like a common blackmail scam called ransomware. Ransomware is an email, website or pop...

Patrick writes: A person called and said my computer would no longer be supported by Microsoft. Is this true? What Patrick describes sounds like a typical phone scam, designed to take advantage of the news that support for Windows XP will end in...

After April 8, 2014, there will be no new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options, or online technical content updates for Windows XP SP3. Learn about upgrading to Windows 7 or Windows 8 . The Microsoft Support...

The latest volume of the Security Intelligence Report (SIR) highlights the importance of using antivirus software . Antivirus software helps protect your computer from malicious software (malware) and can be downloaded or installed inexpensively or...

Gabby writes: I just wanted to let you know that I received a phone call this evening from a guy called “Daniel” from “Technical Maintenance of Microsoft Windows.” He said that Microsoft had received error messages from my computer...

On April 8, 2014, Microsoft will end support for its decade-old Windows XP operating system. This means that after April 8 there will be no new security updates available through automatic updating for computers that are still running Windows XP. For...

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...

The first thing you need to know: Support for Windows XP ends on April 8, 2014. You can get solutions to your Windows XP security issues now, but not for too much longer. If you’re still using Windows XP, you’re missing out on all kinds of...

We received this question in response to our post about Microsoft's new Internet Fraud Alert . I am a victim of an online ID theft fraud (my Hotmail account has been hacked). What can I do? What agency can I report this crime to for further investigation...

Nana writes: “I received a telephone call at home from a person claiming to be from “Microsoft Operating Systems.” He had an urgent need to "fix" a virus. I had trouble understanding him, and when I starting asking questions, he got...

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...

Jo Anne writes: I received a message that said that my Microsoft security software is turned off and I am not protected. What can I do? I even ran the scan. The warning says that I can buy antivirus protection, but I don’t want to pay for it...

Richard writes: “Can Microsoft Security Essentials co-exist with other antivirus software like McAfee or Norton? Or do I have to uninstall my current McAfee Suite?” Yes, you should uninstall McAfee Suite before installing Microsoft Security...

On April 8, 2014, Microsoft will end support for the Windows XP operating system. As a result, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. Microsoft will also stop providing...

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. The bulletin announces the release of 7 security updates. Download the January security updates for Microsoft .NET Framework, Microsoft Developer Tools, Microsoft Office,...

Today 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. Watch a video about this update. ...

Depending on which operating system your computer is running, you can use either Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials to get rid of malicious software and viruses. If your computer is running Windows 8, you can use the built-in Windows...

An anonymous blog reader writes: “Someone keeps calling me every other week claiming to be from Microsoft tech support. They even gave me a number to call back. Can't we report them?” Yes. Learn about how to report phone fraud in the...

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...

If someone calls you from Microsoft tech support to help you fix your computer, mobile phone, or tablet, this is a scam designed to install malicious software on your computer, steal your personal information, or both. Do not trust unsolicited calls...

Betty writes: I just received a call from a guy who said that my Windows was infected. He wanted me to sit in front of my computer while he fixed it. He became angry when I told him no and I hung up. Thanks for writing, Betty. This type of call...

A few months ago, we warned you about fake Java updates and suggested that the best thing you could do to protect yourself was to keep all of your software updated. One way criminals take advantage of software that isn’t updated is to craft PDF...

Is your computer running slowly? Are programs starting unexpectedly? Is the activity light on your broadband or external modem constantly lit? Does it sound like your computer's hard disk is continually working? If you answered “yes” to...