Security for Home Computer Users: Everything you need to know about computer firewalls

Sign up for other newsletters | Unsubscribe | Update your profile Volume 6, Number 8 August 11, 2009 Welcome to Security for Home Computer Users, a monthly newsletter bringing security news, guidance, updates, and community resources directly to your inbox. If you would like to receive more technical security information, please subscribe to the Microsoft Security Newsletter. Computer firewalls: Everything you need to know Everyone says you should use a firewall to help protect your computer when you go online. But what exactly is a firewall, and how does it defend your PC? Get answers to these and other questions in our frequently asked questions page on firewalls. Learn what a firewall is. See how to tell if your computer already has one. And if you need a firewall, get the pros and cons of each type so you can pick the right one for you. Microsoft security news Updated Microsoft Malware Protection Center now available The Microsoft Malware Protection Center is your definitive source for research about malicious software, with details of top online threats, an in-depth malicious software encyclopedia, and a tool to submit cases of possible malicious software. Check it out! Read our security and privacy blog posts all from one page Keep up more easily with the Trustworthy Computing bloggers at Microsoft. Subscribe to one RSS feed to be notified when there are new blog posts, or use the translation tool to read the blogs in a different language. Security updates Security updates for August 11, 2009 The bulletin for August includes nine security updates: seven for the Windows operating system, one for Microsoft Office Web Components, and one for ASP.NET. Get updates from Microsoft Update See a summary of the updates Watch a short video about the updates Protect your computer Are you everyone's favorite computer geek? Discover how to make your tech duties easier by using Windows Live Messenger and the Windows Live OneCare safety scanner to diagnose and fix others' PC problems remotely. Protect your PC from the Active Template Library security vulnerability The Microsoft Active Template Library (ATL) security vulnerability may be used by cybercriminals to install malicious software on your computer. Learn how to get the security update for this issue, plus see the five things that you can do to be safer online. Protect yourself and your family Need help with a computer security problem? Visit the Security At Home Discussion Group and get tips and troubleshooting advice from other Windows users. Bing: safety, security, and search Last month Microsoft unveiled Bing, the decision engine that helps you overcome search overload and quickly make more informed choices. Find out how Bing helps you and your family avoid rogue security software Web sites and block sexually explicit content from search results. Security resources • Microsoft Security At Home site for online safety information • Microsoft Security site for computer security information • Security Tips & Talk blog • Support for home computer security issues To cancel your subscription to this newsletter, reply to this message with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject line. You can also unsubscribe here. You can manage all your Microsoft.com communication preferences at this site. Legal Information This newsletter was sent by the Microsoft Corporation 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, Washington, USA 98052 Sign up for other newsletters | Unsubscribe | Update your profile © 2009 Microsoft Corporation Terms of Use | Trademarks | Privacy Statement