How to Turn on a Windows Phishing Filter

Phishing is considered a type of spam email

Phishing is when an email message or website imitates legitimate and credible entities, but which are in actuality fakes designed to redirect you for malicious purposes. Phishing is a type of spam (unsolicited email) and is the fastest growing segment of Internet fraud. Its growth is due to the fact that it is so deceitful and causes unsuspecting Web users to disclose personal information unknowingly. Microsoft has taken this threat to your privacy and safety very seriously, and includes an anti-phishing tool in its proprietary Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser. All you need to do is turn it on.

Things You'll Need

• Internet Explorer 7 or 8

Instructions

1. Check the installed version of IE. Open IE and select the "Help" drop-down menu at the top. Click on "About Internet Explorer" to see the informational pop-up window. On the line of text labeled "Version" verify whether "7.0" or "8.0" is installed.

2. Turn on the filter in IE 7.0. Do this by clicking on the "Tools" drop-down menu at the top of the IE browser and selecting "Phishing Filter." Click "Turn on Automatic Website Checking," and then click "Turn on automatic Phishing Filter." Click "OK" and proceed in browsing the Web as usual.

3. Turn it on in IE 8.0. Click the "Safety" button at the far right hand side of top menu bar, and point the mouse cursor to "SmartScreen Filter." Click "Turn on SmartScreen Filter," and then click "OK" in the "Microsoft SmartScreen Filter" dialog box. Proceed in browsing the Web as usual. If you don't see the "Safety" button, try using the "Tools" drop-down menu at the top of IE to access the "SmartScreen Filter" then proceed with turning it on.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit the Microsoft Internet Explorer home page to install or upgrade your software. See Resources below for the link.

• Phishing attacks can alter your saved "Bookmarks" in the IE browser. Try typing the Web address directly into IE's address bar for your most sensitive and valued websites.

References

• Microsoft: How do I turn Phishing Filter back on?
• Microsoft: How do I turn SmartScreen Filter back on?
• Microsoft: What Happened to Phishing Filter?
• Microsoft: Anti-Phishing Technologies Overview
• Microsoft: Explore the features: Microsoft Phishing Filter in Internet Explorer

Resources

• Microsoft: Internet Explorer Home Page