Key Points:
- Scareware blocker is now enabled by default on most Windows and Mac devices with Microsoft Edge, protecting users from scams before traditional threat intelligence catches them.
- The blocker uses a local computer vision model to spot full-screen scams and stop them before users fall into the trap, and has been shown to protect users from fresh scams hours or even days before they appear on global blocklists.
- Microsoft Edge 142 adds a scareware sensor for faster detection, allowing Scareware blocker to notify Microsoft Defender SmartScreen about potential scams immediately, without sharing extra data.
Microsoft has announced that Scareware blocker, a feature designed to protect users from scams, is now enabled by default on most Windows and Mac devices with Microsoft Edge. This feature uses a local computer vision model to spot full-screen scams and stop them before users fall into the trap. The model is enabled by default on devices with more than 2 GB of RAM and four CPU cores, where it won’t slow down everyday browsing.
The results from the preview of Scareware blocker were compelling, with users protected from fresh scams hours or even days before they appear on global blocklists. Microsoft stated that the feature has been shown to be effective in blocking scams, including those with fake blue screens, fake control panels, and scams posing as law enforcement. When a user reports a scam with Scareware blocker, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen works to get the scam blocked for other customers using SmartScreen.
In one instance, Scareware blocker caught a scam that impersonated law enforcement, accusing users of crimes and demanding payment to unlock their PCs. This scam had not yet been blocked by Defender SmartScreen or other services like Google Safe Browsing. Microsoft reported that each user report protected an additional 50 users on average, demonstrating the effectiveness of the feature.
Microsoft Edge 142 adds a scareware sensor for faster detection, allowing Scareware blocker to notify Microsoft Defender SmartScreen about potential scams immediately, without sharing extra data. This real-time report gives SmartScreen an immediate heads-up to help confirm scams faster and block them worldwide. The scareware sensor setting is disabled by default for the time being but will be enabled for users who have SmartScreen enabled.
Microsoft is working to reduce latency and deliver faster SmartScreen protection for scams reported by Scareware blocker users. The company is also upgrading the end-to-end pipeline, with Scareware blocker’s connection to SmartScreen now running on the same production-scale threat intelligence systems that power SmartScreen client protection worldwide.
The impact of Scareware blocker is already clear, with Microsoft stating that the feature has protected users from scams and helped to block attacks at their source. The company is grateful to the scam-fighting community for their help in delivering the preview and to the tens of thousands of users who shared feedback. As Microsoft continues to improve Scareware blocker, users can expect even stronger protection against scams and a safer browsing experience.
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