57 million people in the United States alone claim to have been exposed to at least one online phishing scam. These scams typically attempt to lure you into visiting phony Web sites where your personal information or credit card information can be collected for criminal use.
Microsoft Phishing Filter helps provide dynamic protection against phishing scams as you visit Web sites in two ways. It scans and helps identify suspicious Web sites, and provides up-to-the-hour updates and reporting on known phishing sites. Microsoft Phishing Filter is available as an add-in for the MSN Search Toolbar at no cost, and will be also available in the upcoming Windows Internet Explorer 7.
Two key features
Microsoft Phishing Filter combines two technologies to help protect you against phishing scams:
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A built-in filter that scans the URLs and Web pages you visit for characteristics associated with phishing scams. |
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An online service that offers real-time information about the reputations of reported phishing Web sites. (Phishing sites often appear and disappear in 24–48 hours, so up-to-the-hour information is critical.) |
Microsoft Phishing Filter in action
After you download and install the Microsoft Phishing Filter Add-in for MSN Search Toolbar, if you come across a suspected phishing site while surfing the Web, a yellow warning appears.
If you attempt to visit a known phishing site, a red warning appears and you are prevented from entering any information into any Web form on that site.
How to get Microsoft Phishing Filter
To use Microsoft Phishing Filter, you must be running the MSN Search Toolbar and then install the new Microsoft Phishing Filter add-in. (The MSN Search Toolbar can also be downloaded at no charge.) To install the Microsoft Phishing Filter add-in, you need to have a Windows PC running Windows XP SP2.
Step 1: Download and install the MSN Search Toolbar
Note: If you are running Internet Explorer or Microsoft Outlook, the installation will require that you close the programs to continue.
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Go to http://toolbar.msn.com/ |
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Click Download Toolbar Now - Free. When the File Download window opens, click Run. |
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In the security warning window that says "Do you want to run this software?", click Run to begin the Installation Wizard. |
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On the Welcome page, click Next. |
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After reviewing the terms of use and the privacy statement, click the option button next to "I agree to the terms of use and the privacy statement" and then click Next, if you want to continue. |
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The installation process will continue automatically until a window opens that enables you to either customize the MSN Search Toolbar or continue installation with the default settings. Unless you know of specific changes you want to make in the settings, select Use the default settings and close the Wizard, and then click Finish. |
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Click Okay to verify your settings. |
Step 2: Download and install the Microsoft Phishing Filter Add-in for the MSN Search Toolbar
If you're already using the MSN Search Toolbar, you can install Microsoft Phishing Filter by following the following instructions.
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Go to the MSN Search Toolbar Add-ins home page (http://addins.msn.com/addins_category_toolbar.aspx#phishing). |
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Scroll down to Microsoft Phishing Filter Add-in for MSN Search Toolbar and click Get it now.
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Click Run. Then, in the security warning window that says "Do you want to run this software?", click Run to begin the Installation Wizard. |
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Before you can continue, you must close Internet Explorer and Outlook if those programs are running on your computer (this does not include the Installation Wizard). |
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After reviewing the privacy statement, on the Welcome page of the Installation Wizard, click Next to agree to the privacy statement. Select Yes or No if you do or do not want to participate in the customer experience improvement program, then click Install to begin automatic installation. |
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Open Internet Explorer, and the MSN Search Toolbar will now be at the top of your screen, with a button for the Phishing Filter that gives you options to Report a Website, Check for Updates, Learn Phishing Filter Options, and Learn more about the Phishing Filter.
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Now, with Microsoft Phishing Filter installed in your MSN Search Toolbar, each Web site you visit will be verified and scanned for suspicious characteristics and be automatically checked against known phishing sites. |