SmartScreen
Cybercriminals continue to rely on deceptive social engineering attacks to prey on unsuspecting web users. Whether it's via an email that appears to be from your bank, a search result for popular content such as games and movies, an advertisement or a link in an instant message promising free stuff, or a fake notification from a social networking site, there is virtually no trick they haven't tried. We developed the SmartScreen filter for Internet Explorer 8 so you can browse with more confidence – knowing you have a greater chance of being protected when you are targeted by one of these attacks.
The SmartScreen filter is a set of technologies designed to help protect users from evolving web and social engineering threats. If the SmartScreen filter detects a malicious website, Internet Explorer 8 will block the entire site. It can also provide a "surgical block" of malware or phishing hosted on legitimate websites – blocking just the malicious content without affecting the rest of the site.
This site has been blocked by the SmartScreen filter.
Another new feature we have added is protection from malicious downloads – if you attempt a download that has been reported as unsafe, Internet Explorer 8 will block and warn you about that as well. Of course, you'll still have the option to continue with the download if you're certain that it is safe.
This download has been blocked by the SmartScreen filter
While we recommend all users keep the SmartScreen turned on, you can enable or disable it at any time. You can also help improve the web for everyone by reporting suspected malicious sites.
Want to take a closer look into how Internet Explorer 8 helps keep you safer online? Read this whitepaper.
According to a recent test by NSS Labs, Internet Explorer 8 catches more than twice as much malware and is tied in phishing protection when compared to its closest competition. Find out more about which browser provides the best protection against socially engineered malware and phishing.