Security terms

• What is an ActiveX control?

• What is antispyware software?

• What is antivirus software?

• What is a botnet?

• What is a cookie?

• What is a firewall?

• What is browser hijacking?

• What is identity theft?

• What are Internet filters?

• What is malware?

• What is the Microsoft lottery scam?

• What is Microsoft Security Essentials?

• What are parental controls?

• What is phishing?

• What is a pop-up?

• What is ransomware?

• What is social engineering?

• What is spam?

• What is spyware?

• What is a computer virus?

• What is Windows Defender?

Digital citizenship in action: A guide to education and events

Here you’ll find a wealth of straightforward advice from Microsoft to teach yourself and others how to be savvy and successful digital citizens in our connected world.

Teach yourself: Practical advice for greater online safety

These free materials give you the practical advice you need to help you stay safer online.

• Online safety brochures, fact sheets, and tip cards

• Online security, privacy, and safety videos

Teach others: Online safety presentations and event planning

Use these free materials to make a presentation or put together an event.

• Online safety presentations

• Internet Security at Work Toolkit

• Organizing an online safety event

Note: If you have questions about how to use these materials or you want a copy on a flash drive or to share feedback, please send us email.

Downloads

• Help teens protect themselves online (downloadable book)

• Free Internet safety calendar

• Videos

Initiatives

• Participate in the Safer Online Teen Challenge

• Digital citizenship – what does it mean to you?

• Family Online Safety Institute

• National Cyber Security Awareness Month

• Online bullying: identifying target, bully, and bystander behavior

• Safer Internet Day

• STOP. THINK. CONNECT.

Research

Featured: Microsoft Computing Safety Index
The Microsoft Computing Safety Index is a scoring system and survey that helps safeguard your digital lifestyle.

Mobile phone manners and safety habits
Facebook poll reveals top mobile phone pet peeves for men and women as well as habits that could open the door to digital damage.

Online Privacy
Results of a Microsoft-commissioned survey for Data Privacy Day show people feel they have little to no control over how their data may be collected by online companies.

Accessibility as a Business Consideration
According to this survey, organizations cite lack of resources as the main reason accessibility does not play a more important role in their strategic considerations.

Online Scams and Fraud
In a new survey for National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), respondents reveal the scams they have commonly encountered and the ones they fear the most.

Online Bullying
To understand the issue of bullying from a global perspective, Microsoft commissioned a survey to examine a range of online behaviors among youth.

Online Safety and Social Media Use Across Generations
An AARP/Microsoft survey group of American teens, young adults, parents, and older adults highlights family connections online through email and social media.

Online Reputation Management
Research, from North America and Europe, reveals attitudes toward online reputation and outlines steps to take to help manage your online reputation.

Teen Online Reputation
Learn how US teens manage and regard online reputation management—and what behaviors they think will get them "in trouble."

Safer Online Gaming
Information about perceptions and behaviors of gamers and parents of gamers in the US and how to use family settings effectively.

Location-Based Services Research
Research from five countries projects increased adoption of location-based services over time.