The website has a wealth of information just waiting to be discovered:

• At the top of the page there is a navigation bar with specialized sections on Fraud Prevention, Data Protection and links to various Resources. As you can see in the screen-shot below, when you hover over any of the sections on the navigation bar (1), an additional navigation bar (2) will present a list of topics to choose from (3):

• In the center of the page you will find information, as well as links for How To's and Tools.
• At the very bottom of the main page, there are educational videos relating to security and remaining vigilant online.
• The website has comic section which is both informative and entertaining.
• If you have questions about what certain terms mean, there is also a section with common security terms to help you out.

Be sure to bookmark Microsoft Online Safety and share the link with friends and family who'd like to learn more about staying safe online.

Keeping track of software updates has become so much easier thanks to FileHippo.com Update Checker . This is a simple program that does it's job beautifully. It scans your computer, then presents a list of all the programs you have installed that have updated versions available for download.

After reading and accepting license agreement, choose which components to install. I recommend you un-check run at startup since there is no need to have this program constantly running in the background. If you'd like a desktop icon, leave it checked otherwise un-check it as well. Start Menu Shortcut should remain checked so that you can find the program via your start menu.

Click Next after choosing which components to install. Leave default location for installation (unless you prefer to install in a different location), then click Install. Once installation is complete, click Close.

When you run FileHippo.com Update Checker, the program begins by downloading the latest update list:

Then it will scan your PC:

and finally, it will list all the programs that currently have an update available to download (your list may differ depending on programs installed):

The only issue I had with FileHippo.com Update Checker was that it listed an update for Windows Live Messenger (which I do not have installed). I have (but don’t use) Windows Messenger which is part of Windows XP. If you get an update notice for Windows Live Messenger and do not use MSN Messenger or Live Messenger to chat, feel free to ignore that update notice.

Update Adobe software as soon as possible to help keep your PC protected.

Downloads:

• Flash Player for Internet Explorer (download to your PC, then double-click downloaded update to install).

• Flash Player for Firefox (once downloaded, double-click update to install).

• Adobe Reader (note: this patch can only be applied to version 9.1.2. If you are unsure, update to the latest version of Adobe Reader via the help menu in the program).

To read the latest Adobe Security Advisories, visit Adobe Security bulletins and advisories.

In addition to the updates listed above, Adobe also issued patches for Shockwave Player and Adobe Air. If you use them, you'll want to install those patches as well.

You may have to install one or both of the security updates depending on what Microsoft software you have installed. As always, the sooner you apply the updates, the faster your PC will be protected from these vulnerabilities.

If you don't have Windows Automatic Updates enabled or want the updates now, download the latest security patches by visiting Windows Update.

Many websites have been hacked with a malicious script that checks for the vulnerability and if you visit the website with Windows 2000 or XP and do not have the vulnerability patched, the site will attempt to re-route you to a malicious site that will silently download and execute a keylogging program.

In addition to this latest exploit is another vulnerability in DirectShow that has not been patched by Microsoft either and affects ALL browsers. Both vulnerabilities are dangerous and considered "drive by downloads".

Patches for these exploits are not yet available via Windows Update but Microsoft has created Advisories for each and Workaround fixes that can be used in the meantime to mitigate your risk.

Download and install the following fixes to stay safe:

1. Vulnerability in Microsoft Video ActiveX control could allow remote code execution.
2. Vulnerability in Microsoft DirectShow could allow remote code execution.

The fixes linked above will prevent the exploits from working on your PC and will keep you safe until Microsoft patches those vulnerabilities in DirectShow. I recommend you apply the fixes immediately. Also, verify that your Anti-Virus is up to date because most Anti-Virus will prevent the exploits from being downloaded onto your PC and will serve as another layer of protection.

To install the fixes, do the following:

• Visit the Advisory Page (see links 1 and 2 above) and choose the Fix it button located on the left side of the page:
  
• Download Fix it to your PC, then install it by double-clicking it. Click the Agree box and then click the Next button:
  
• The Fix is automatically applied and your PC will be protected from the vulnerabilities listed above. Choose Close to exit the dialog.
  

Microsoft is expected to include a patch for the vulnerabilities in the next Windows Update patch-day but in the meantime you can keep your PC safe by using the Fixes from Microsoft linked above.

Note: Windows Vista and Server 2008 are NOT vulnerable to these exploits.

Take a closer look at Firefox's features and you'll see many improvements and welcome new additions in this newest version.

The updated version can be easily installed by checking for updates via the Help menu:

If you currently don't use Firefox, download the latest version from Mozilla's Firefox Web page.

Pre-Order information can be found on the Windows 7 Pre-Order page, as well as basic system requirements.

For those looking to purchase a new PC, most manufactures are offering FREE upgrades to Windows 7 once it begins shipping. Here are a few that already have the free upgrade offers on their websites:

• Dell
• HP
• Velocity Micro

If you're specifically looking for a notebook, there is a page with all the notebooks eligible for free upgrades: Featured PCs at Microsoft.

To refresh your memory about Windows 7, you can take a look another look at what's new in Windows 7.

The first quarterly patch goes to Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat. This new version patches critical security vulnerabilities that crash the programs (Reader and Acrobat) and can allow an attacker to gain access to your PC.

Download Adobe Reader 9.1.2.

If you'd like to read about the details of the vulnerabilities, read Security Bulletin APSB09-07.

Adobe Reader & Acrobat:

Adobe Reader and Acrobat suffer from javaScript vulnerabilities that have been patched in version 9.1.1.

Download and install the Adobe Reader 9.1.1 Update as soon as possible.

If you have difficulties downloading from the website or want to install the update in Acrobat, run the update from within the program.

QuickTime:

Apple released a security update for QuickTime that fixes 10 vulnerabilities which can allow code execution. As usual when these types of vulnerabilities are patched it is recommended that you update the software as soon as possible.

Download the latest update via the Automatic Software Update Tool (in Windows) or by downloading from the QuickTime web page.

If you’d like to learn more about the vulnerabilities that are resolved by the update you can read: About the security content of QuickTime 7.6.2

Firefox:

Mozilla has updated Firefox to version 3.0.10. The new version fixes a stability issue and a security vulnerability.

Get the latest version of Firefox from the Mozilla web site or by checking for an update from within Firefox.

Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate) is scheduled for May 5 and the final version of Widows 7 is expected to ship during late summer/early fall.

Users currently using Windows Vista will be able to purchase an upgrade version of Windows 7 and upgrade easily to the latest Operating System. Those of us using Windows XP will also be able to purchase upgrade versions of Windows 7 but will have to perform a clean installation (which removes all software and settings prior to installation). There are rumors that a settings transfer program will be provided to help backup settings and programs before performing the upgrade and if they prove to be true, it will make the upgrade process a bit less daunting.

Mozilla News:

Mozilla has recently updated Firefox to 3.0.10. As always, there are various bugs fixed and a security update included with the new version (get it while it's hot).

The next version of Firefox, dubbed Firefox 3.5 is expected to be released sometime during the summer and will have additional speed and security enhancements.