How to Optimize the Settings on the Phishing Filter

Optimize your security settings to avoid phishing sites.

A phishing site fraudulently masquerades as the official site of a bank, government branch or trustworthy business or entity. Phishing sites come in many forms, but all attempt to fool a user into providing his personal information, often in the attempt to swindle money or steal the user's identity.

To protect users from such sites, Microsoft and Mozilla both incorporated phishing filters into their respective browsers. To avoid becoming a victim of a phishing site, optimize your browser settings to increase security.

Instructions

Internet Explorer

1. Press "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Del." Select "Task Manager" from the menu. Click "File," then "New Task." Type "iexplore" into the window. Click "OK."

2. Click "Tools." Point to "Phishing Filter." Click "Phishing Filter Settings." Scroll to the "Security" section. Click "Turn on automatic website checking." If you are running Internet Explorer 8, click "Safety." Hover over "SmartScreen Filter." Click "Turn On SmartScreen Filter." In the window that appears, select "Turn on SmartScreen Filter."

3. Click "OK" to save your settings and enable the Phishing Filter.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click "Start." Select Mozilla Firefox from the left pane. If Mozilla Firefox is not your default browser, click "Start," "All Programs," then "Mozilla Firefox."

2. Click "Tools." Click "Options." Click the "Security" button. Check the box next to "Block reported web forgeries." If you are using an older version of Firefox, click "Check by asking Google about each site I visit." Read the Phishing Protection Terms of Service. Click "I accept these Phishing Protection Terms of Service." Click "Accept and Continue."

3. Click "OK" to save your changes.

References

• Microsoft: How to Turn the Internet Explorer Phishing Filter or the SmartScreen Filter On or Off
• Louisiana State University: Mozilla Firefox: Changing Phishing Filter Settings
• Mozilla: Options Window: Security Panel