Virus and Security Solution Center

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Are you concerned your PC may be exposed to viruses and other security threats? Microsoft has free tools that can help detect and remove viruses, plus build up defenses to help secure your PC against viruses and other security threats. To get started, follow the three steps below.

	Scan your PCs for viruses The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
	Configure your PCs to help prevent security threats Building up your computer’s defenses helps secure your computer against viruses. To help prevent security threats from infecting your PC, the Malware Prevention Diagnostic Tool will guide you through configuring these system settings: set up automatic update for Windows, turn on Windows Firewall, enable Internet Explorer’s privacy settings, turn on User Account Control (UAC), clean your internet cache and browsing history, and more. Learn more about the Malware Prevention Tool here.
	Protect your PCs with Microsoft Security Essentials Help protect your home and small business PCs from malicious software such as spyware, viruses, Trojans, and rootkits with Microsoft Security Essentials, the high-quality antivirus software that is free for genuine Windows customers to download directly from Microsoft.

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.

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.

Security Information

Diagnose and fix Windows security problems automatically
Automatically diagnose and fix problems with security in Windows, such as UAC (User Account Control), Windows Firewall or Data Execution Protection (DEP) to prevent security threats.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Other security software providers

Microsoft wants to help ensure your PC is protected. If Windows Live OneCare and Microsoft Security Essentials do not meet your needs, learn more about other security software providers.

Antimalware apps for Windows 8 Release Preview

Windows 7 consumer security software providers

Windows Vista consumer security software providers

Windows XP consumer security software providers

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

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

Updating Virus and Spyware Definitions forum at Microsoft Community
Post questions in the Updating Virus and Spyware Definitions for Microsoft Security Essentials Community forum. Experts are on hand to help.

Scanning, Detecting and Removing Threats forum at Microsoft Community
Post questions in the Scanning, Detecting and Removing Threats with Microsoft Security Essentials Community forum. Experts are on hand to help.

IT-Professional Security Resources

New Solution Accelerator: Microsoft Security Compliance Manager
Use the Microsoft Security Compliance Manager to provide centralized security baseline management features, a baseline portfolio, customization capabilities, and security baseline export flexibility to accelerate your organization’s ability to efficiently manage the security and compliance process for the most widely used Microsoft products.

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 Microsoft 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.

Assisted Support

Contact Consumer Security Support
When creating a case, ensure that you provide all requested information related to the problem you are facing. In order to track and reference your inquiry, you will receive a support case number. This support case number will be required for all contacts with a Support Professional.
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Support Options

Assistance on other Microsoft Security Products
Microsoft Security Essentials
Windows Live OneCare