The website has a wealth of information just waiting to be discovered:

• At the top of the page there is a navigation bar with specialized sections on Fraud Prevention, Data Protection and links to various Resources. As you can see in the screen-shot below, when you hover over any of the sections on the navigation bar (1), an additional navigation bar (2) will present a list of topics to choose from (3):

• In the center of the page you will find information, as well as links for How To's and Tools.
• At the very bottom of the main page, there are educational videos relating to security and remaining vigilant online.
• The website has comic section which is both informative and entertaining.
• If you have questions about what certain terms mean, there is also a section with common security terms to help you out.

Be sure to bookmark Microsoft Online Safety and share the link with friends and family who'd like to learn more about staying safe online.

Take a closer look at Firefox's features and you'll see many improvements and welcome new additions in this newest version.

The updated version can be easily installed by checking for updates via the Help menu:

If you currently don't use Firefox, download the latest version from Mozilla's Firefox Web page.

Pre-Order information can be found on the Windows 7 Pre-Order page, as well as basic system requirements.

For those looking to purchase a new PC, most manufactures are offering FREE upgrades to Windows 7 once it begins shipping. Here are a few that already have the free upgrade offers on their websites:

• Dell
• HP
• Velocity Micro

If you're specifically looking for a notebook, there is a page with all the notebooks eligible for free upgrades: Featured PCs at Microsoft.

To refresh your memory about Windows 7, you can take a look another look at what's new in Windows 7.

Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate) is scheduled for May 5 and the final version of Widows 7 is expected to ship during late summer/early fall.

Users currently using Windows Vista will be able to purchase an upgrade version of Windows 7 and upgrade easily to the latest Operating System. Those of us using Windows XP will also be able to purchase upgrade versions of Windows 7 but will have to perform a clean installation (which removes all software and settings prior to installation). There are rumors that a settings transfer program will be provided to help backup settings and programs before performing the upgrade and if they prove to be true, it will make the upgrade process a bit less daunting.

Mozilla News:

Mozilla has recently updated Firefox to 3.0.10. As always, there are various bugs fixed and a security update included with the new version (get it while it's hot).

The next version of Firefox, dubbed Firefox 3.5 is expected to be released sometime during the summer and will have additional speed and security enhancements.

If you currently use Firefox, you'll want to update to version 3.0.8 (just released by Mozilla). This latest version fixes two critical security issues.

Mozilla continues to impress by issuing updates quickly whenever it becomes aware of vulnerabilities in it's browser.

In addition to the two security vulnerabilities, there were also a few bug fixed.

Installing:

1. The easiest way to update Firefox to the latest version is to check for updates via the Help menu:



2. You can download the newest version from the Mozilla Firefox website.

With either method listed above, Firefox will automatically be updated if already installed on your system (no need to uninstall the older version).

Yesterday, Microsoft released the final version of Internet Explorer 8. I previously described some notable IE 8 features in the beta version and want to urge those currently using older versions of Internet Explorer to take the plunge and upgrade to Internet Explorer 8.

Security and performance improvements in this latest version are vast when compared to older versions and the upgrade is simple as can be. Just download Internet Explorer 8 and run set-up. Your settings, favorites and cookies are easily transferred and the improvements are well worth the time it takes to download and install.

What to expect:

Installation begins by asking if you'd like to participate in the Customer Experience Improvement Program (I chose not to participate).

Choosing Next will bring to to the user license screen. Once you click Accept, you will be presented with a window asking if you'd like to install updates. The updates will automatically download while installing Internet Explorer 8 (I recommend you leave it check-marked) and click Next.

Your previous version of Internet Explorer will be removed (don't worry your settings, favorites and cookies are saved).

After finalizing installation, you will need to reboot.

Once you click re-start now and your PC re-starts, IE will download updates and check for malicious software. Then it will continue with installation and once finished, it will automatically re-boot your system.

The first time you open Internet Explorer after installation, you will be greeted with a welcome screen that will walk you through personalizing your settings.

In the following screen you will be asked if you'd like to turn on Suggested Sites (I chose No).

Next, you will choose if you'd like to use Express Setting or would like to customize your settings (I chose Custom Settings).

Note: If you choose Express Settings, the screens that follow will not be presented to you.

Choose if you'd like to continue using your default search provider or if you'd like to choose from a list of search providers (after set-up is complete).

You can also have your search provider updated (your search provider is not changed, only updated to use the latest technology).

You can then choose to use the current Accelerators provided with IE 8, add new ones or turn them off altogether.

Additionally, you can activate the Smart Screen Filter (recommended).

I chose not to keep IE 8 as my default browser because I use Firefox as my primary browser. If you want to have IE automatically open when clicking on a link (not another browser), you'll have to choose Yes. If you prefer to use a different browser, choose No.

Finally, you'll have to decide whether to allow the automatic updating of Compatibility View websites (I chose No because I prefer to keep my own compatibility view website list).

After performing the above steps, you'll be ready to surf the Internet using the new and much improved, Internet Explorer 8.

Visit the Internet Explorer Home Page to download or read more about it's latest features and improvements. Don't be afraid to try it. If you install it and later decide not to keep it, it can easily be uninstalled via Windows Add and Remove Programs (your previous version of Internet Explorer will be restored).

Current Windows XP Users:

Windows XP users will be able to purchase a discounted upgrade license for Windows 7, but the pricing structure for Windows 7 has not yet been released. The upgrade will need to be installed as a clean installation which means you will need to back-up your settings, documents and important files yourself before performing the upgrade. The installation will wipe the drive in order to avoid conflicts and will install the full version of Windows 7 on your hard drive without saving any previous programs or settings. Rumors are circulating that Microsoft will provide tools to help with the backup and restore process for those upgrading from Windows XP (we'll have to wait and see).

Current Windows Vista Users:

Those already running Windows Vista will have the choice of performing an in place upgrade (that will save and transfer their settings and installed programs) or to perform a clean install (in which case they should manually back-up their settings and files prior to installing Windows 7).

Buying a new PC this year?

There are unconfirmed reports that PCs purchased after July 1st running Widows Vista will receive free upgrades to Windows 7 once the new Operating System is released.

Microsoft is currently beta testing Windows 7 and has a spiffy new website to showcase it's latest Operating System.

New features being touted:

• A new larger task bar with larger thumbnails and the ability to show full-screen previews.
• The ability quickly open recent files by using Jump Lists which are available when right-clicking program icons in the task bar.
• Faster performance and numerous security improvements.
• New theme packages to keep your eyes happy while working.

If you're curious to see Windows 7, Microsoft has a few Windows 7 preview videos for your viewing pleasure.

Windows 7 is looking very promising and I for one am keeping a close eye on it's development. As always, I will share updated developments as I come across them.

Microsoft recently released Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 for public download. I'm currently using it and must say that I'm very impressed. Aside from numerous security improvements and increased performance there are also a slew of cool features that have been implemented in the new browser. Here are just a few:

Web Accelerators:

Web Accelerators are shortcuts to on-line services that are often used. For example, if you're constantly checking word definitions, you can use an accelerator for Wikipedia or Dictionary.com that will enable you to highlight a word on a webpage and find it's meaning with just two clicks. Whenever you highlight a word with your mouse, you are presented with a cool blue arrow icon that once clicked, will give you options for your selected text (see screenshot below). Install as many accelerators as you wish, they can be easily managed or removed altogether.

Tab Grouping:

It is now extremely simple to keep track of what sites belong together. Links that are opened from a particular page will all have the same color tab. Additionally, you'll have many useful options when right-clicking any of the tabs.

Automatic Crash Recovery:

If you are like me and love to browse with many tabs open at the same time, this new feature will make you very happy. Crashes are confined so that if Internet Explorer crashes, only that particular tab crashes. The tab that crashed is then reloaded so that you'll be on the page you were viewing before the crash.

Compatibility View:

Because Internet Explorer uses updated Website rendering, some websites may look strange or may warn you that you are using an unsupported browser. For these websites that don't work properly, there is compatibility view. To activate Compatibility View for a website, just click the little broken page icon at the end of your address bar.

I've mentioned only a few of the great new features in Internet Explorer 8. To read about all the juicy details or to download Internet Explorer and try it out for yourself, you can go to the Internet Explorer Home Page. If you install it and decide not to keep it, you can easily revert back to a previous version by uninstalling Internet Explorer 8 via Windows Add and Remove.

Tips:

1. The first time Internet Explorer is started after installation, you will be greeted by a setup wizard that will ask you, among other things, if you'd like to enable Suggested Sites. If activated, Internet Explorer will use your browsing history to suggest other sites you might enjoy viewing. I find no use for that feature, therefore I checked NO so that it would remain disabled. If you change your mind later on, adjust the Suggested Sites setting in your Internet Explorer Tools menu.
2. To find more accelerators for you new installation of Internet Explorer visit the IE Accelerator Gallery.

Note: Beta software is used for testing before final release and can sometimes have bugs or instability. However, this beta version of Internet Explorer has been very stable on all four of our PCs at home and has caused no problems whatsoever. I highly recommend it.

After much fanfare, Firefox 3 was released June 16th and was downloaded more than 8 million times during the first 24 hours alone. I was one of those who installed it within hours of it's release and I'm having a great experience so far. The most notable improvement for me is the increased speed and performance. The previous version was slow to start up and there was a slight hesitation when opening pages, but the new version is very smooth, with no lag. The decreased memory usage is also a welcome surprise.

There are many new security features in Firefox 3, including the changing favicon background which shows you if you are on a regular, unencrypted page or secure, encrypted page. For further information about the website, click on the favicon in the address-bar (see screen-shots):

regular web page:

secure web page:

Other Improvements:

• Malware protection prevents Firefox from opening web pages on websites known to install viruses, trojans or spyware.
• Password management has been improved with the addition of a smarter, less intrusive, password bar.
• New download manager resumes downloads if your connection is reset or your browser is restarted.
• Improved bookmark organization includes one click bookmarking, enhanced search, bookmark import and backup.

During installation you can choose whether to make Firefox your default browser (the one that opens when you click a link). If you change your mind about making it your default browser, the setting can easily be changed by going to Tools, Options, Advanced, and clicking the General Tab.

The first time you open Firefox after installation, you will be guided through importing your settings and bookmarks from Internet Explorer (don't worry, importing your settings will not edit or change anything in Internet Explorer). If you choose not to transfer your settings at that time, you can do so at a later date by manually by going to File, Import, from within Firefox.

Once you have Firefox installed, visit Firefox Add-ons to read about and download add-ons to help personalize your online experience.

Experience the difference….download Firefox today.

photo: LuChOeDu

Rumors are circulating that a new version of Microsoft Windows is already in the works and is expected to be released by the end of next year. According to articles in Computer World and Internet News, Windows 7 is planned for release late next year and will use less memory, be more efficient and less bloated than Windows Vista. For now, the photos circulating show Windows 7 looking very similar to Vista but that is expected to change by the time the operating system is ready to ship. It's too early to tell how the final version of Windows 7 will look.

I have not upgraded to Vista yet and may just skip Vista altogether and upgrade to Windows 7 when it's released. It doesn't make sense for me to upgrade to Vista and have a new operating system released in about a year. According to Computer World's article, many businesses may wait until Windows 7 is released to upgrade as well. Microsoft seems to be moving up the current release date just as it did after Windows ME turned out to be a disappointment for the software giant.