When you’re browsing the web, the last thing you expect is to be ambushed by a pop-up or full-screen takeover that looks like a dire system warning. Yet, this is a common tactic among cybercriminals who use scareware—malicious software that frightens you into clicking on a scam—to prey on unsuspecting users. In a bid to counter these deceptive tactics, Microsoft has just rolled out an innovative new feature for its Edge browser: an AI-powered scareware blocker.

Microsoft’s latest update to Edge introduces a scareware blocker that leverages artificial intelligence to detect and neutralize scam attempts before they can wreak havoc. Unlike traditional security measures that might rely solely on known threat databases, this feature uses a machine learning model running directly on your Windows PC. This means that the blocker can not only recognize existing scam patterns but also spot emerging threats in real-time.

According to a blog post from the Microsoft Edge team,

Scareware blocker adds a new, first line of defense to help protect the users exposed to a new scam if it attempts to open a full screen page. Scareware blocker uses a machine learning model that runs on the local computer.

In simpler terms, the blocker is designed to keep you safe by intercepting malicious attempts that try to commandeer your browsing experience. And while AI often conjures up concerns about privacy, Microsoft has taken steps to ensure that your personal data isn’t compromised in the process. The machine learning model works entirely on your local device—no images or data are sent to the cloud.

How it works

At its core, the new feature uses computer vision—a branch of artificial intelligence that enables computers to interpret visual information. When a website attempts to switch to a full-screen mode (a common scare tactic used by scam sites), Edge’s AI quickly compares what’s on your screen to thousands of known scam layouts and designs. These visual references have been crowd-sourced from the scam-fighting community and vetted by security experts, ensuring that the AI has a robust database to work from.

Once a suspicious page is detected, the browser doesn’t hesitate. It automatically exits full-screen mode and halts any background audio, which could be used to further distract or manipulate you. Then, a small thumbnail of the offending page appears along with a warning message, giving you the opportunity to assess the situation. If you’re certain it’s a scam, you can report the site—helping Microsoft refine its Defender SmartScreen service that proactively blocks known malicious sites for all Edge users.

For everyday users, the new scareware blocker represents a significant step forward in personal online security. In an era where cyber threats are evolving rapidly, having an intelligent system that can adapt and respond to new scam techniques offers much-needed peace of mind. By integrating this AI feature directly into the browser, Microsoft is reducing the friction between identifying a threat and taking action against it.

Availability and how to try it out

Initially announced at Microsoft Ignite in November 2024, the scareware blocker is now available in preview as part of the latest stable release of the Edge browser. If you’re eager to try out this new feature, here’s what you need to know:

• Update Edge: Make sure you’re running the latest stable version of Microsoft Edge on your Windows PC.
• Enable the feature: Head over to Edge’s privacy settings, find the scareware blocker option, and enable it.
• Restart your browser: For the changes to take effect, a quick restart of Edge is necessary.

Once activated, you’ll have an extra layer of protection against those sneaky, full-screen scam tactics that have long plagued the web.