October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Microsoft and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) have teamed up again this year to help increase awareness about Internet security issues and to educate users about how to help protect themselves and their devices.

While we cannot guarantee complete safety in cyberspace, we can take steps to help prevent criminals and identity thieves from stealing our personal information and accessing our computers. We can also minimize our exposure to other Internet security risks.

Here are the steps to help protect your computer:

Turn on your Internet firewall.
Keep all your software current (including your Web browser) with automatic updating.
Install and maintain antivirus software and antispyware software, such as Microsoft Security Essentials. Only download software from a company you trust. (See below for more information about companies that try to sell you fake antivirus or antispyware software.)

For more basic security information, see our list of security terms.

Help protect yourself against rogue security software

Rogue security software also known as "scareware" produces fake security warnings which might appear in pop-up windows as you surf the Web. These warnings are designed to trick you into downloading malicious software or into paying for software that you don't need. For more information, see Watch out for fake alerts.

Help protect your personal information:

Use our password checker to create strong passwords and keep them private.
Think before you click.
Back up your data.

If you're looking for a more interactive way to learn about Internet safety or to teach others about Internet safety, see our online safety videos.

About the NCSA

The NCSA is a non-profit organization with sponsors in education, the United States government, professional organizations, and private corporations like Microsoft. The NCSA provides information, resources, and tools to help people and small businesses better protect their computers and their personal information from online threats.

For information about this year's events, visit the NCSA Web site.

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