Check Strength of Your Password

Your online accounts, computer files, and personal information are more secure when you use strong passwords to help protect them.

Here is a small yet useful utility from Microsoft to check the strength of your password.

So each time you decide to change your password for any kind of account, you can use this password strength checker from Microsoft.

Time to sheild your Windows OS

Microsoft has announced new patches for "critical" Windows bugs that are actively being exploited on the internet, allowing an attacker to take control of your system remotely. Here's how to keep your Windows system protected -

1. Keep your WINDOWS OS updated
Verify that you have the most recent security updates from Microsoft and that AutoUpdate is on.

a) Start Internet Explorer and go to http://update.microsoft.com
b) Check the box at the top right to see Automated Update status. If needed, click to turn ON Automatic Updates from Microsoft.
c) Hit "Express" to install all outstanding high-priority updates.
d) If needed, be sure to reboot to finalize the install of the updates.

2. Keep your ANTIVIRUS and FIREWALL updated

3. Update BROWSERS and APPLICATIONS.
All softwares that interacts with the internet are updated regularly by the publisher as vulnerabilities are discovered. This includes products such as internet browsers, social networking software, mobile device operating system and apps (such as iPhone), Adobe products like Acrobat and Flash, and media players. Staying current with the latest versions is crucial to your system security.

Critical Security Update for Internet Explorer MS08-078

On 17th Dec 2008, Microsoft has released a critical security update for Internet Explorer. This out-of-band security update fixes a JavaScript-related vulnerability that's being actively exploited through hacked Web sites. This security update resolves a publicly disclosed vulnerability. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
This security update is rated Critical for Internet Explorer 5.01, Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, and Internet Explorer 7.
For complete details see here .