Have you ever loaded up a site and, all of a sudden, the page goes full screen with a fake virus alert and a request to call a “support number”? Those very scary pop-ups are referred to as scareware scams—and now, Microsoft Edge has a way to stop them sooner.
This feature can detect fake pop-ups, or scam websites, attempting to persuade people by creating a false reality, such as “Your PC is infected!” or “Call Support Now!”
This is what it does:
• It detects websites that take full screen control and play loud warning sounds
• It blocks the site if it appears to be a scam
• It alerts Microsoft’s SmartScreen system so the company can block behavior patterns for other users more quickly.
The scareware sensor is available with Edge version 142, but at the present time, it is off by default. If you are already using Microsoft Defender SmartScreen then you will be automatically opted-in once available.
Scareware is very sneaky because it:
• Claims to be a legitimate Microsoft (or antivirus software) warning.
• Locks your browser and plays loud sounds.
• Attempts to scare you into calling "tech-support."
The scareware sensor fights scareware because it detects how a page behaves, not just what the address looks like. It can be used to stop a scam page quickly, even a new one, before it exploits more users.
It's not perfect — you still have to be vigilant — but it's a worthwhile additional layer of protection. So if you use Edge, keep it up to date and enable this feature when it is available.
Next time you invade a scary-looking pop-up, Edge may stop it dead. How cool is that?
What is this new "scareware sensor"?
Microsoft has added a new security feature to Edge called a scareware sensor.This feature can detect fake pop-ups, or scam websites, attempting to persuade people by creating a false reality, such as “Your PC is infected!” or “Call Support Now!”
This is what it does:
• It detects websites that take full screen control and play loud warning sounds
• It blocks the site if it appears to be a scam
• It alerts Microsoft’s SmartScreen system so the company can block behavior patterns for other users more quickly.
The scareware sensor is available with Edge version 142, but at the present time, it is off by default. If you are already using Microsoft Defender SmartScreen then you will be automatically opted-in once available.
Why does that matter?
If you've seen fake "virus alert" messages, you know how convincing they look, with the sole purpose of making you freak out and click on something you shouldn't have. I helped a friend, once, who was sure his PC had been hacked because of one of those pop-ups. It hadn't -- it was scareware. I wish they had that sensor in Edge at the time, because it probably would have stopped that page.Scareware is very sneaky because it:
• Claims to be a legitimate Microsoft (or antivirus software) warning.
• Locks your browser and plays loud sounds.
• Attempts to scare you into calling "tech-support."
The scareware sensor fights scareware because it detects how a page behaves, not just what the address looks like. It can be used to stop a scam page quickly, even a new one, before it exploits more users.
How to turn it on
You'll be able to turn this feature on yourself:- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Open Settings - Privacy, Search, and Services - Security.
- Ensure that Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is turned on.
- Look for the Scareware Sensor toggle and switch it to on if it is available.
Final thoughts
This update is a very good thing from Microsoft. The new scareware sensor makes Edge smarter at determining between harmless scareware and scary-but-no-issue alerts that may trap you in the website you're already on.It's not perfect — you still have to be vigilant — but it's a worthwhile additional layer of protection. So if you use Edge, keep it up to date and enable this feature when it is available.
Next time you invade a scary-looking pop-up, Edge may stop it dead. How cool is that?
