What is SmartScreen Filter?

SmartScreen Filter is a feature in Internet Explorer 8 that helps you avoid socially engineered malware phishing Web sites and online fraud when you browse the Web.

SmartScreen Filter:

• Checks Web sites against a dynamically updated list of reported phishing and sites.
• Checks software downloads against a dynamically updated list of reported malicious software sites.
• Helps prevent you from visiting phishing Web sites and other Web sites that contain malware that can lead to identity theft.

When you have the SmartScreen Filter turned on, if you attempt to visit a Web site that has been reported, the screen below appears and advises you not to continue to the unsafe Web site.

The SmartScreen Filter also notifies you when you attempt to download software that is unsafe. The above warning screen will notify you that the download has been blocked for your safety. Click More Information if you want to know more about the dangerous Web site.

To turn on SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer 8:

• In Internet Explorer, click the Safety button. Point to SmartScreen Filter, and then click Turn On SmartScreen Filter.
• In the Microsoft SmartScreen Filter dialog box, click OK.

For more information, see SmartScreen Filter: Frequently Asked Questions.

For information about how to minimize the chance that your Web site will be flagged as suspicious by SmartScreen Filter, see SmartScreen Filter: Information for administrators and Web site owners.