- New Microsoft tool protects users from fake support and fraudulent pop-ups
- New scareware sensor in Edge promises faster SmartScreen threat detection
- The AI-powered Scareware Blocker is backed with community reporting and real-time protection.
Microsoft is expanding its protection tools in its Edge browser with the broader rollout of its Scareware blocker and the introduction of a new scareware sensor aimed at stopping tech support scams before they reach users.
The update extends automatic protection to most Windows and Mac devices, combining artificial intelligence, computer vision, and SmartScreen threat intelligence.
The Scareware blocker, now enabled by default on devices with at least 2GB of RAM and four CPU cores, uses a local computer vision model to identify deceptive full-screen pages that trick users into believing their computer is infected.
Protect clients from attacks
Once detected, Edge shuts down the scam before users are prompted to call fake support numbers or make payments.
IT administrators can also manage Scareware blocker settings through enterprise policies and allow lists.
“AI-powered features like Scareware Blocker will forever change the way we protect customers from attacks,” Rob Franco, senior PM director for Microsoft Edge, Enterprise & Security, said in a blog post announcing the news, adding that the system can protect users from new scams “hours or even days before they appear on global block lists.”
Microsoft says that when users report a scam through the blocker, it helps Defender SmartScreen add the threat to its global protection list.
On average, in initial testing, a single report prevented another 50 users from being attacked.
The reported scams went beyond simple “virus alerts,” including fake blue screens, spoofed control panels, and even fraudulent messages from authorities demanding payments.
Microsoft Edge version 142 also introduces a new scareware sensor that alerts SmartScreen to potential scams in real time, without sending additional screenshots or data.
This feature is currently disabled by default, but will later be enabled for users with SmartScreen enabled.
Franco says the company is also updating the underlying pipeline to shorten response times and extend SmartScreen coverage faster once threats are reported.
“Even after a user has reported a scam, it can still affect others before SmartScreen can start blocking,” Franco explained. “We are working to reduce latency and provide faster protection for scams reported by Scareware blocker users.”
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
