Microsoft Rolls Out AI Scareware Blocker In Edge Browser

As online scams increase, Microsoft takes a huge step in protecting its users from scams. With the latest Edge browser update, Microsoft introduced AI-powered scareware blocker that detects and blocks potential scams.

Microsoft Edge Brings AI Scareware Blocker

The recent Microsoft Edge browser update introduces a new security setting to help users avoid suspicious websites. Named scareware blocker, the new setting is actually an AI-powered feature that ensures a safe browsing experience for Microsoft Edge users.

Sharing the details in a recent post, the Redmond giant explained that the new feature uses data and machine learning to detect and block websites potentially linking to online scams.

The term “scareware” applies to most online scams that leverage fear factors to trick victims. A classic example of scareware includes tech support scams, where the attackers try to scare the users by displaying prompts hinting at technical issues, device hacking, and malware attacks. The victims are then required to contact the attackers via email or phone, where the attackers pose tech support specialists who could solve the victims’ issues. In most of these attacks, the victims lose control of their devices to the attackers via malware attacks.

Given the diversified nature of such scams, scareware is still a popular cyberattack among threat actors, successfully tricking most users.

Until recently, Microsoft Edge protected users from most known cyber threats via Defender SmartScreen. However, with the new Edge browser, Microsoft aims to protect its users from such threats by proactively detecting scams. Starting with Edge 133, the browser will provide users with a dedicated “Scareware blocker.” Users may find and enable this feature via the “Privacy, search, and services” tab in the browser Settings.

Once done, the browser scans the websites for deceptive traits such as the presence of tech support numbers, use of full-screen mode, and attempts to hijack the keyboard and mouse. Upon detecting such sites, the browser blocks the website and displays a warning prompt to the user about potential scams. The user may then choose to continue browsing the site (if they trust the site and believe the warning as a false positive) or skip it.

Microsoft also shared the following video demonstrating the new tool.

Scareware Blocker Is Out In Preview Mode

Currently, the Scareware blocker feature is available in “preview” mode. Microsoft asks users to volunteer to share their browsing activities with the tool and provide feedback regarding its performance to minimize false positives and contribute to its efficiency.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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