Outlook / Office / Vista security and privacy issues?

I am contemplating on upgrading my system to Vista and start using outlook to take advantage of MS-Office integrated platform efficiency and benefits.

However I hear all these horror stories about outlook, office and windows vulnerability issues! Any feedback and advice on how to protect the system and best safe guards?

Are there any websites that assist average computer users to stay on top these issues without getting too technical?

Outlook / Office / Vista security and privacy issues?internet security software

First of all, you don't need to upgrade to Vista to take advantage of the latest version of Office / Outlook. It runs fine on XP.

Outlook does (did) have some issues, but if you use it wisely (e.g. don't install unknown software that could host trojans or viruses), you won't have any problems. I've been using it for 12 years and never had problems. But I did see people install software and get their contact list stolen... You have to be careful.

The beauty of Outlook is that it is compatible with many other software (Blackberry, Palm Pilot, Windows CE, etc.). If you're planning to read email ONLY, then forget Outlook and stick with something simple (Outlook Express, Vista Mail, etc.). But if you want to manage your calendar, contacts and email, then Outlook is the path to choose.

Be sure to install all latest patches (http://office.microsoft.com) and always install Windows Update patches (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com). And stay away from unknown software.

Good luck!

Outlook / Office / Vista security and privacy issues?moto guzzi

鈥?Have up-to-date anti-spyware.

鈥?Have up-to-date anti-virus.

鈥?Have a firewall.
Secunia PSI:

https://psi.secunia.com/?page=about_psi

Good luck.