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Today Microsoft released 14 new security updates.

• 7 updates for Microsoft Windows
• 2 updates for Microsoft Office
• 1 update for Windows Media Player
• 1 update for Windows Server
• 1 update for Microsoft XML
• 1 update for Internet Explorer
• 1 update for .NET Framework

You can download the updates via Windows Update or click here to visit the bulletin page.

If a deal for software seems too good to be true, then it probably is. The software could be pirated, which means that it’s been copied and sold illegally.

One of the dangers of using pirated software is that you might not get security updates, which means that your computer and your personal information could be at risk.

One way you can usually identify genuine Microsoft software is by ensuring it has the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label.

A typical COA looks like this:

We offer free, confidential audits and advice to businesses who are concerned over software licensing. Contact us for details.

There are several common ways that spammers can get your email address:

• Crawling the web for the @ sign. Spammers and cybercriminals use sophisticated tools to scan the web and harvest email addresses. If you publicly post your email address online, a spammer will find it.
• Making good guesses… and lots of them. Cybercriminals use tools to generate common user names and pair them with common domains. These tools are similar to the ones that are used to crack passwords. And they work.
• Tricking your friends. Even if you know better than to publicly post your email address on the web, it could still be stored in the email inbox of anyone who’s ever emailed you or whom you’ve ever emailed. Cybercriminals can steal contact lists or use social engineering to trick people into giving them access.
• Buying lists. Spammers can purchase lists legally and illegally. When you sign up for a website or a service, make sure you read the privacy policy carefully to find out what the site plans to do with your email address.

It pays to keep your email address as private as possible, but sometimes it seems like there’s nothing you can do to keep it out of the hands of spammers. For this reason you have to combine smart privacy practices with strong email filters.

Microsoft have released on their blog that the National Cyber Security Alliance recently hosted a discussion about the role of the individual in computer security. Representatives from Microsoft and other companies agreed that businesses are responsible for providing security tools in addition to education and they discussed the steps that individuals should take to secure their own computers.

Andrew Cushman, senior director of Trustworthy Computing at Microsoft stressed that people should use updated web browsers when they surf the Internet.

Here are four steps you can take right now to increase your security:

1. Keep your firewall turned on.

2. Keep all your software and your operating system up-to-date.

3. Keep your antivirus software up to date.

4. Keep your antispyware technology up to date.

BBC News reports today that telecoms giant BT has said it will increase call charges by 10% and its monthly line rental by 50p from the beginning of October.

The majority of customers will be informed of the move by letter this week.

The cost of connecting a call will go up from 9.9 pence to 10.9p. The daytime rate rises from 5.9p to 6.4p a minute.

Customers who sign up to a year-long contract upfront will avoid the increased charges.

BT said it estimates the impact of the changes will be just 1p a day, because its average customer makes only 80 seconds of daytime calls each day, and more than half subscribe to inclusive packages.

It said “calling plans enable customers to avoid the set-up fee and charges for most calls altogether”.

From October, BT customers will pay a landline rental charge of £13.29 a month, or £12.04 if they receive their bills by e-mail.

The price changes are part of a concerted move by the company to get customers to sign up to longer-term contracts and special bundled packages.

They are offering cheaper rates for those that do.

After 1 October, the standard cost of a landline will be £159.48. For those who pay the entire sum upfront, it will be £131.88. If they sign up before the end of October, the cost will be £113.88, which works out at £9.49 a month.

If you would like advice on switching your telephone provider to ensure that this increase does not affect you, please d not hesitate to contact us on 0845 180 0000.

Today Microsoft released 4 new security updates.

• 2 updates for Microsoft Windows
• 1 update for Microsoft Office
• 1 update for Microsoft Office Outlook

You can download the updates via Windows Update or click here to visit the bulletin page.