- Microsoft presents a new scam detection software
- The tool will be available for Microsoft Edge users
- This could lead to an end of the ‘technical support scams’ if it is widely adopted
Microsoft has officially launched a new function of ‘Scareware Blocator’ to help protect users on EDGE web browsers on Windows PCs.
The new automatic learning threat detection software, announced for the first time at the Ignite 2024 conference, recognizes the sharware signs to protect users in real time, which puts users in control of their computer.
Screware scams have existed for a long time, and they have become one of the most harmful scams, but what if they were not? This new technology could see the end of technical support scams completely, this is what we know.
Millions lost every year
The FBI states that technical support scams are costing the victims millions per year, and has become a quite high profile attack. The basic configuration of the attack is that cybercriminals will implement emerging windows or ads that deceive users to believe that their device has been infected with malware, generally filling their screen with large banners or fear alerts.
Essentially, the scam panic works with a banner alleging that they have been committed by a virus or an attack, and asks them to reach the ‘technical support’. From there, the false support agents will request and steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting users who believe they have committed.
Most of us are aware of this scam, and we have enough confidence to ignore them when they make emerging window, but the main objective of these attacks are older adults and those who are not intelligent enough to detect the warning signals.
But with this new ‘screware blocker’ I could make us all a little safer. The detection of AI performs verifications in new and unknown places, “where the abuse is more likely to hide”, and use an intelligent screen to protect users around the world in a matter of minutes once an abusive site is detected .
The model compares the screens with the sample scams provided by the security community, and this is executed locally, without the need to save or send images to the cloud.
When an attack is detected, Edge ‘will put users in control’ when leaving full screen mode, as well as stop the “reproduction of aggressive audio”, and provide a warning to the user with a miniature of the suspicious page.
From there, the user has the option of informing the malicious site to help protect others, and can even share the screenshot of the scam with Microsoft to help train the model even more.
If the alert is a false alarm, users can report the error of the Screware blocker.
“While we recognize that the Screware blocker may not catch each scam, especially as tactics evolve, we are committed to training users with solutions while we improve our defenses,” Windows confirmed in his statement.
This tool is something that even Chrome has used, and is available when any Edge user updates its browser to the most recent version and restarts. You can verify if this is installed on the ‘Privacy and Services’ tag.
Protecting you
If you are not a Microsoft Edge user, or if you want to make sure you are as sure as possible, here there are some tips to protect yourself.
The most important step is to be aware of the scam. Once you know the play book, you will be much less panic if you find it. Always try to remain calm, and do not hurry to provide your information to an attacker.
If a warning seizes its screen, you can always press and hold the ‘ESC’ key to escape, which should relieve anxiety a bit. The most effective tool of criminals is to press it to act quickly and without thinking, so if you can resist this, it will be much better located to avoid any scam.
Do not click any suspicious emerging link or windows. Like Phishing scams, they are designed to take their information, which can lead to even bigger problems such as identity theft.
Similarly, do not communicate with any telephone number or emails that are displayed in an emerging window; If you think there is a real problem, look for contact information separately and contact through official channels. Be particularly care not to give access to your accounts, and always remember that legitimate technology companies are incredibly unlikely to request money connected through foreign accounts, gift cards or cryptographic currency.
A crucial part of this scam is the emerging announcement, so the best advertisement blockers will keep it safe, and a great advantage is that many of them are free!
Similarly, if you have the best antivirus software already installed on your device, you may be sure that your device is safe, so it is much less likely to be scared in the fall of this scam.
“If you have a good reputation antivirus, simply ignore any emerging window that urges you to install security corrections,” said Pierre Noel, Field Ciso Emea in Expel.
“If not, ignore these messages, investigate the superior antivirus solution and install a trust. If you receive an unexpected call for technical support, let’s say you are occupied and ask your name and departments, most likely they hang up”
