Using a firewall is like locking the front door to your house—it helps keep intruders (in this case, hackers and malicious software ) from getting in. Windows Firewall is included in Windows and is turned on by default. If you see a warning that...

Knowing when to trust a website depends in part on who publishes it, what information they want, and what you want from the site. Here are five reasons to think twice before sharing information with a website. 1. The site asks for personal information...

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...

The easiest way to get security updates automatically is to go to the Microsoft Update website and make sure that you have automatic updating turned on. Microsoft Update provides very important updates for performance and security. If you have automatic...

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. Skip the details and go to Microsoft Update to download the latest updates. This bulletin announces the release of security updates for Windows, Internet Explorer, and other...

As a parent or caregiver, you probably needed only one trip to the playground to realize that children can have radically different styles of play. Just as there’s no “one size fits all” approach to helping children navigate the jungle...

Today, the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) posted details about the August security updates . If you have automatic updating turned on, most of these updates will download and install on their own. Sometimes you may need to provide input...

Tom asks: I’m getting messages from Microsoft about my email account. The messages say that my account is blocked and I can only unblock it with a credit card number. Is this legit? No, these messages sound like a phishing scam , a type of...

It's never too early for parents, caregivers, and educators to teach kids how to be respectful online citizens. Digiduck's Big Decision is a downloadable digital book about friendship and responsibility that was created especially for kids ages four to...

Bob writes: My antivirus software keeps turning off and I can’t get it back on. Here are the most common reasons you might encounter this problem: Your computer is already infected with rogue security software The warning that you’re...

Technology can make everything in our lives easier—including sharing too much information (TMI). Just because you can take a picture of your new credit card and post it on Instagram doesn’t mean that you should. In fact, you shouldn’t...

A Microsoft account—formerly known as a Windows Live ID—is the combination of an email address and a password that you use to sign in to services such as Xbox LIVE and Outlook.com, as well as devices such as Windows Phone and computers running...

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...

A reader writes: Can I use Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows 8? No—but you don’t need to. Windows 8 includes Windows Defender, a program that provides enhanced protection against viruses and spyware. Learn more about Windows...

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. Skip the details and go to Microsoft Update to download the latest updates. This bulletin announces the release of security updates for Windows, Internet Explorer, and other...

Today, the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) posted details about the July security updates . If you have automatic updating turned on, most of these updates will download and install on their own. Sometimes you may need to provide input for...

Thank you for helping make the Internet a safer place. If you haven’t already, 'Like' us on Facebook and be part of the next million. Join the conversation to get daily online safety tips covering the Microsoft products you use, including Internet...

To post a comment or a question on one of our blog posts, use the Comments form at the bottom of the post. We appreciate your comments and questions, and we read all of them. Although we don’t answer them individually, we do use the information...

Is your computer running more slowly than usual? Does it stop responding or freeze often? It might have a virus. If you can connect to the Internet These instructions are different depending on which operating system you’re using. Check...

The news is filled with stories about people, famous and otherwise, getting caught in online dating scams. The phenomenon is so common that it now has a name: Catfishing. The term catfishing comes from the 2010 movie Catfish about a man who was lured...

Most of us already know this, but it’s worth repeating: When you email or text photos to another person, that person can save the pictures on his or her phone or hard drive forever. New apps like Snapchat claim that there are ways to send photos...

Cassie writes: I received an email from the Hotmail Maintenance Department requesting personal information verification. The message included a PDF file. Is this a scam? Yes. This is one of many types of email cybercrime, also called phishing ....

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. Skip the details and go to Microsoft Update to download the latest updates. This bulletin announces the release of 5 security updates for Windows, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft...

Today the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) posted details about the May security updates. On Tuesday, June 11 at approximately 10 AM Pacific Time Microsoft will release 5 bulletins. The easiest way to get the updates when they're available...

To help stay safe on your travels this summer, we recommend these Internet safety and privacy tips. Make sure your laptop or tablet has up-to-date antivirus and antispyware software installed. Windows 8 includes antivirus protection that’s...