Someone phones you to say your computer has been identified as vulnerable and asking you to go to a specific website. Just put the phone down - they want your details. Read more at Microsoft security queries.
You get an email telling you your banking details are incorrect and that you need to go to their website to correct them. Delete the message - they are trying to get your details. Read more at Microsoft security tips.
Something has taken over your internet settings so you automatically get taken to (e.g. a rubbishy shopping-type home page) and all attempts to re-set the default come to nothing next time you log on. The likely cause is that you have downloaded some software that had hi-jack software contained within it. Firstly, see if you can recall what you've downloaded in the recent past. Then go to Google Groups and run a search and see if other people have reported the same thing, and they may have suggestions for getting rid of it. Alternatively, do a search on the name of the page that your browser is now defaulting to in order to see if anyone has reported the same thing. It's also worth getting a copy of Ad Aware (free) from LavaSoft (www.lavasoftusa.com/) and running that. It should tell you if you've got spyware and so on onstalled and should help yu get rid of it; it's very simple to use and and doesn't require any technical knowhow. Alternatively, try Spybot (www.safernetworking.org/)
Getting emails from FindTheDirt.com? Ignore them. These emails tell you that some of their members were trying to find out information about you. If you visit the site you're told that in order to view the request or the information about you, you need to register. This of course is not free but when you have paid, you find that there is no information about you or that it is very basic, such as your email address.
Phil Bradley in CILIP Update (various dates)
