What is a phishing filter?
A phishing filter is usually a component of a Web browser or Internet toolbar. It evaluates Web sites for signs that they are connected with phishing scams. Phishing scams use e-mail and Web sites that look identical to those that belong to legitimate sources (such as financial or government institutions) but are actually hoaxes. If you click links in the e-mail or enter your user name, password, and other data into these Web sites, it gives scammers information they can use to defraud you or to steal your identity. The Microsoft Phishing Filter is available today in Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), and in Windows Vista. To learn more, see Phishing Filter: Help protect yourself from online scams. Read more about the signs of phishing scams in Recognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mail.
A phishing filter is usually a component of an e-mail filter or Internet toolbar. It evaluates incoming messages for signs that they are connected with phishing scams. Phishing scams use e-mail and Web sites that appear identical to those that belong to legitimate sources (such as financial or government institutions) but are actually clever hoaxes. If you click links in the e-mail or enter your user name, password, and other data into these Web sites, it gives scammers information they can use to defraud you or to steal your identity. Phishing filters can help detect links associated with known scam sites, and other suspicious indicators.
