Use Microsoft SmartScreen to help avoid malware

Use Microsoft SmartScreen to help avoid malware

To help protect your computer from online threats, Microsoft SmartScreen technologies, included in both Windows Internet Explorer 8 and 9, block links to websites and downloads that are known to distribute malicious software, also known as "malware." Internet Explorer 9 also adds Application Reputation to warn you when a downloaded program has a higher risk of being malicious.

• What is malware?

• What are SmartScreen technologies?

• How can I avoid malware?

• How do I remove malware?

What is malware?

The term "malware" comes from the two words, "malicious software," and refers to any software that is designed to cause damage to a computer, server, or network.

Viruses, spyware, worms, key loggers, and Trojans are examples of malware. If you click links that are disguised as images, audio, or video files that might appear on suspicious websites, in instant messages (IMs), or in email messages, you might expose your computer to malware. In some cases, malware can even be hidden in files that have been uploaded to reputable websites. Malware can:

• Corrupt data.

• Slow down your computer.

• Spread itself to other computers.

• Erase everything on your computer.

• Result in identity theft or give a criminal access to your computer and web accounts.

What are SmartScreen technologies?

SmartScreen Filter is a feature in Internet Explorer that helps detect phishing websites. SmartScreen Filter can also help protect you from installing malicious software.

In Internet Explorer, SmartScreen helps protect you from websites that are known to contain phishing threats. If you attempt to visit a suspected or known phishing site, SmartScreen displays warnings that advise you about the potential dangers and allow you to provide feedback.

Application Reputation is part of SmartScreen in Internet Explorer 9. Application Reputation Protection greatly reduces the number of unnecessary warning prompts for most downloads, and warns users only when they are about to run downloaded programs that are more likely to be malicious.

Windows Live also uses SmartScreen technologies to help protect you from socially engineered attacks. For example, if you use Windows Live Messenger and you click links to websites that are known to contain malware and phishing threats, Windows Live blocks the malicious site. If you visit unknown websites, Windows Live redirects you to a page that offers guidance about how to help protect yourself. No matter what web browser you use, you get an extra level of malware protection when you use Windows Live Services.

How can I avoid malware?

• Turn on your firewall.

• Keep your computer's software up to date. Turn on automatic updating with Microsoft Update. Your operating system and your software programs should be updated regularly.

• Always use antivirus and antispyware software from trusted sources and keep the software up to date. If you use Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, you can download Microsoft Security Essentials.

• Make sure that SmartScreen Filter is enabled in Internet Explorer.

• If you use Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows Server 2008, make sure that User Account Control (UAC) is active so that it always notifies you of changes to your computer. Carefully review each message that you receive from UAC before you allow changes to your computer.

• Be wary of social engineering:

  • Don't click links on suspicious websites or in email messages. Type addresses directly into your browser or use bookmarks. Don't trust sender information in IMs, email messages, or messages on social networking websites.

  • Be careful when you download from the Internet. Files that end in extensions .EXE or .SCR often hide malware. However, even files with familiar extensions such as .DOC, .XLS, and .PDF can be dangerous.

  • Be sure that you keep your browser plug-ins up to date.

  • Before you install something, consider the risks and benefits of installing it, and be aware of the fine print. For example, make sure that the license agreement does not conceal a warning that you are about to install software with unwanted behavior.

  • Only download programs and updates from reputable sources. If you use Windows or Microsoft Office, always go to Microsoft Update. For other software, always use the legitimate websites of the company or person who produces the software.

How do I remove malware?

• Visit Microsoft Update and install the latest updates.

• Download, install, and run the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.

• Scan your computer with antivirus and antispyware software from a trusted source, such as Microsoft Security Essentials.

• If you think that you have malware on your PC and can't access the antivirus and antispyware software on your computer, you can do a PC safety scan with the Microsoft Safety Scanner.

If the antivirus product that you are using doesn't work, you must use specialized removal tools or reformat your computer and reinstall the operating system. Either of these options might require you to take your computer to a professional for repair. For more information, see How to remove a computer virus.

It might be difficult to download tools or update your computer if your computer has a virus. In this case, you can try one of the following options:

• Use another computer to download the tools to a disk.

• Get help through Microsoft Support.

Need more support?

If you are having another problem not covered here, get support from Microsoft.