New Security Feature in Edge Aims to Combat Deceptive Scareware Tactics

Microsoft’s Edge browser introduces a new scareware blocker, utilizing machine learning to protect users from deceptive malware without compromising privacy

Agencies Ghacks
Jan 29, 2025
Browsers, Microsoft Edge
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Microsoft has rolled out a new security feature for its Edge browser designed to combat scareware—a type of malware that manipulates users into revealing personal or financial information through intrusive full-screen alerts and flashing banners. This release aims to enhance protection, particularly for less savvy internet users who may find themselves overwhelmed or confused by these deceptive tactics.

First introduced at the 2024 Ignite Conference in November, the scareware blocker employs advanced machine learning techniques that operate locally on users’ devices, emphasizing privacy by not sending any data to the cloud. The blocker assesses full-screen pages against thousands of sample scans to identify potential threats. If a page is flagged as suspicious, Edge automatically exits the full-screen view, halts audio playback, and alerts the user, providing a thumbnail image of the page for further evaluation.

Users who want to activate this feature need to ensure Edge is fully updated and that previews are enabled. This process can be initiated by navigating to the “Help and Feedback” section and downloading the latest version. Once set up, the scareware blocker is accessible under the 'Privacy, Search, and Services' menu.

Notably, this new feature differs from Microsoft's existing SmartScreen utility, which relies on a cloud database of reported threats and may not detect unreported scareware attempts. In conjunction with utilizing the scareware blocker, Microsoft recommends that users maintain up-to-date antivirus solutions and software to bolster overall security against various online threats.

As cyberspace evolves, innovative features like this scareware blocker reflect a growing focus on user safety in the digital landscape. Microsoft’s initiative could potentially set a precedent for other browsers that have yet to implement similar protective measures against such deceptive schemes.

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Comments

  1. Mboe said on February 2, 2025 at 7:10 pm
    Reply

    Just use an AdBlocker on Firefox or Brave or any other browser that continues to support the features of manifest v2 and you never have to worry about malvertising anymore.

  2. MicrosoftSucksAtSoftware said on January 29, 2025 at 11:16 pm
    Reply

    What about Microsoft’s own scareware?

  3. John said on January 29, 2025 at 2:04 pm
    Reply

    Does that include Microsoft’s own scare tactics about installing another browser like Chrome? Seems to me Microsoft needs to take a look in the mirror when it comes to scare tactics.

  4. NoOne said on January 29, 2025 at 1:50 pm
    Reply

    Edge has become a top browser with great features and privacy protections. I been using it more this days as my default Browser.

  5. Pilgrim Lane said on January 29, 2025 at 1:47 pm
    Reply

    Edge is the best browser, not like the poor Firefox, the despicable Brave or even also Vivaldi with its zillion options available in its configuration. However, Opera certainly can be considered for some reasons a good browser too, however it’s still not as good as Edge of course. Microsoft has made a really good browser and this is the real and dramatic true.

    — The worst enemy is the one that you can’t see.

  6. efromme said on January 29, 2025 at 1:39 pm
    Reply

    As if scareware tactics were the biggest issue with MS products, well aprt from them stealing personal information.

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