When was the last time a terrifying pop-up tried to hijack your screen?
Flashing red warnings.
Alarming beeps.
A message screaming that your computer is infected… and a phone number urging you to “call Microsoft support immediately.”
You probably knew it was fake.
But in that split second of panic? Even smart, careful people can hesitate.
That’s exactly what scammers are counting on.
This tactic is known as scareware, and it’s designed to scare you into handing over money, passwords, or remote access to your device. And unfortunately, it still works far too often.
Microsoft is finally fighting back — hard.
A New Line of Defense Inside Microsoft Edge
Microsoft has rolled out a powerful new scam protection feature in its Edge browser, using artificial intelligence to shut down scareware attacks before they reach you.
The goal is simple: stop fake alerts before you ever see them.
At the center of this update is the Scareware Blocker, and on many newer systems, it’s already enabled by default.
This isn’t just another blacklist or warning message. Edge now uses an AI model that can recognize the visual patterns of scam pages — especially the full-screen fakes that mimic real system alerts.
You know the ones:
- “Your device is infected”
- “Critical security warning”
- “Call support immediately”
When Edge detects one of these pages, it closes it instantly — before you or your team can click, call, or panic.
One Report Can Protect Dozens of Others
There’s another smart layer working behind the scenes.
When someone reports a scam, Microsoft’s Defender SmartScreen learns from it and starts blocking the same attack for everyone else — sometimes hours or even days before it would normally be flagged.
In Microsoft’s own testing, a single report prevented around 50 other people from being targeted.
That’s the power of shared intelligence done right.
Real-Time Protection — Without Spying on You
Microsoft is also testing a new scareware sensor built directly into Edge.
This system helps detect brand-new scams in real time, without sending screenshots or personal data back to Microsoft. Privacy stays intact, while protection improves.
It’s currently disabled, but Microsoft has confirmed it will soon be enabled automatically for anyone using SmartScreen.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Scams aren’t slowing down — they’re getting more convincing, more aggressive, and more automated.
And while individuals are still targeted, small and midsize businesses are now prime targets.
Attackers know the truth:
- They don’t need everyone to slip up.
- They just need one employee.
That’s why protections like this matter. AI reacts faster than humans ever could — and it quietly closes one of the most dangerous gaps in everyday security.
What You Should Do Next
If your business uses Microsoft Edge, make sure it’s fully up to date. This new protection could save you significant stress—and potentially a costly mistake.
And if you’re not sure how exposed your systems or your staff might be to scams like this, it may be time for a security audit.
That’s something my team and I help businesses with every day.
If you’d like a second set of eyes on your defenses, get in touch.
Sometimes, the best security upgrade is simply knowing where the risks really are.
