Virus and Security Solution Center

Virus Information

Protect your computer with Microsoft Security Essentials software
With Microsoft Security Essentials, you get high-quality protection against viruses and spyware, including Trojans, worms and other malicious software. And best of all, there are no costs or annoying subscriptions to keep track of.

Scan Now for Free - Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner
Windows Live OneCare safety scanner is a free Web-based service that gives you quick, on-demand PC health and security scans.

4 Steps to Protect Your Computer
Follow these four steps to keep your computer protected and up-to-date.

Think you have a virus? Follow these steps
This article discusses how to determine whether your computer is infected with a computer virus, worm or a Trojan, how to recover from an infection and how to prevent future infections from a computer virus.

Microsoft Consumer Online Safety
Protect your family, yourself and your computer by learning more about computer safety. The Consumer Online Safety web site provides useful tools and resources to get you up-to-date with PC safety and security.

Windows Live OneCare End of Sale Guidance
Windows Live OneCare will begin discontinuing sales in the summer and fall of 2009. Learn more about this decision, how long you can continue your subscription and what other security solutions Microsoft is offering.

Security Information

Install the latest Microsoft Security Patch
On the second Tuesday of each month Microsoft releases its latest security updates for its software. Ensure your computer is protected by installing the latest Security Bulletin from Microsoft.

Install Windows Updates
Protect your PC from security risks and ensure your version of Windows is up-to-date.

Protect your computer with Microsoft Security Essentials software
With Microsoft Security Essentials, you get high-quality protection against viruses and spyware, including Trojans, worms and other malicious software. And best of all, there are no costs or annoying subscriptions to keep track of.

Microsoft Fix it: Common System Maintenance Tasks
Automatically detect and fix common maintenance problems such as broken desktop shortcuts, unused icons, disk volume errors, and incorrect system time display.

Security Checklist for Windows 7
Use this checklist to make sure you’re taking advantage of all the ways that Windows can help keep your computer as secure and safe as possible.

4 Steps to Protect Your Computer
Follow these four steps to keep your computer protected and up-to-date.

Microsoft Consumer Online Safety
Protect your family, yourself and your computer by learning more about computer safety. The Consumer Online Safety web site provides useful tools and resources to get you up-to-date with PC safety and security.

Hoaxes and scams

Scams that use Microsoft’s name or product names
Phishing scams often include the names of well-known companies to convince you to visit spoofed Web sites or click on dangerous links. Microsoft does not send unsolicited e-mail requesting personal or financial information.

How to handle suspicious e-mail
Follow these guidelines to help protect yourself when suspicious mail shows up in your Inbox.

Scams that promise money, gifts, or prizes
Several types of phishing scams promise fantastic financial or other rewards in exchange for just a few small things you have to do…which include turning over your personal information to an identity thief.

How to recognize phishing e-mails or links
A few clues can help you spot fraudulent e-mail messages or links within them.

How to Report Phishing
The Anti-Phishing Working Group is a volunteer organization that maintains a repository of phishing scam e-mails and websites. Report suspected phishing here.

Protect yourself from phishing scams and identity theft
Follow the steps on this page to protect your personal data such as credit card numbers, Windows Live IDs and passwords.

Ask the Community

Security & Privacy forum at Microsoft Answers
Post questions in the Microsoft Security and Privacy Answers forum. Experts are on hand to help.

Microsoft Security Essentials forum at Microsoft Answers
Post questions in the Microsoft Security Essentials Answers forum. Experts are on hand to help.

Getting Started with Microsoft Security Essentials forum at Microsoft Answers
Post questions in the Getting Started with Microsoft Security Essentials Answers forum. Experts are on hand to help.

Updating Virus and Spyware Definitions forum at Microsoft Answers
Post questions in Updating Virus and Spyware Answers forum. Experts are on hand to help.

Scanning, Detecting and Removing Threats forum at Microsoft Answers
Post questions in the Scanning, detecting and removing threats Answers forum. Experts are on hand to help.

IT-Professional Security Resources

Install the latest Microsoft Security Patches
On the second Tuesday of each month Microsoft releases its latest security updates for its software. Ensure your computer is protected by installing the latest Security Bulletin from Microsoft.

What’s New for Security in Windows Server 2008 R2
These product evaluation topics provide IT-Professionals with an overview of new and changed security related features in Windows Server 2008 R2.

Install Windows Updates
Protect your PC from security risks and ensure your version of Windows is up-to-date.

Microsoft Malware Protection Center
The Microsoft Malware Protection Center blog provides a real-time method for the Microsoft Malware Response Center to communicate with customers. Topics include day-to-day, “behind the scenes” information about new, emerging and interesting malware threats as well as other research topics in the computer security field.

Protect your Exchange messaging environment with Forefront Security for Exchange Server
Forefront Security for Exchange Server includes multiple scan engines from industry-leading security firms integrated in a single solution to help businesses protect their Exchange messaging environments from viruses, worms, and spam.

Security Checklist for Windows 7
Use this checklist to make sure you’re taking advantage of all the ways that Windows can help keep your computer as secure and safe as possible.

Stay secure: Visit the Security TechCenter on TechNet
The Security TechCenter provides links to technical bulletins, advisories, tools, prescriptive guidance, and community resources designed to help IT professionals keep Microsoft servers, desktops, and applications up to date and secure.