Microsoft Edge’s Scareware Blocker: Your New Defence Against Tech Scams

Scareware scams are increasingly sophisticated—fake alerts, full-screen popups, urgent warnings urging you to call "tech support" or download software. These ploys prey on fear and confusion, especially among less tech-savvy users. But Microsoft is fighting back with its new AI-powered Scareware Blocker in Edge. Let’s dive into how it works and why it's a must-use tool for safer browsing.

What Is Scareware — and Why It Works

Scareware is a form of social engineering that attempts to manipulate users into believing their device is infected. Victims are coerced into downloading harmful software or calling fraudulent support lines. It’s slick, alarming, and effective—making awareness crucial.

How Microsoft’s Scareware Blocker Works

At Microsoft's Ignite 2024 conference, the company unveiled Scareware Blocker—an AI-powered feature within Edge designed to be a first line of defence against new or emerging scareware threats not yet identified by traditional systems.

Here's how it protects you:

• Local AI detection: Edge uses an on-device machine learning model that compares full-screen webpages to thousands of scam samples shared by the security community—without sending any data to the cloud.

• Instant intervention: When a malicious page is suspected, Edge exits full-screen mode, stops any alarming audio, and presents a warning along with a thumbnail preview of the page.

• User involvement: You can choose to stay on the page (if it's a false alarm) and send feedback or report it to help improve detection across the Defender SmartScreen network.

  
  

Notably, Scareware Blocker enhances SmartScreen protection by detecting scams before they get flagged in global databases.

Enabling Scareware Blocker in Microsoft Edge

The feature is available in Edge’s Preview mode on Windows 10 & 11, but it's not always enabled by default. Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Open Edge and go to Settings.

2. Navigate to Privacy, search, and services.

3. Scroll to the Security section.

4. Toggle Scareware Blocker to On.

5. Also ensure Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is enabled for full protection.

   
   

Why Businesses Should Activate It

• Protects all employees—especially those less tech-savvy—by catching new scareware before widespread detection.

• Minimizes disruption—regains control from malicious screens immediately.

• Boosts user safety culture—gives everyone the power to flag scams and learn how to spot them.

• Privacy-first design—since it runs locally, employee data isn’t sent to external servers.

Summary:

Feature	Benefit
Local Machine Learning	Fast, private detection of new scareware threats
Smart Failure Mode	Exits full-screen, stops audio—puts user back in control
Feedback Loop	Helps improve detection via community input
Enhances Existing Protection	Acts before SmartScreen database updates

Final Thoughts

Scareware Blocker isn't just another security feature—it’s a proactive, intelligent shield against evolving browser-based threats. If your company hasn’t enabled it yet, now’s the time. Combine it with SmartScreen, user training, and robust antivirus to stay one step ahead of scammers.

Need help enabling Scareware Blocker across your organization or training staff to spot scams? Let's connect and build a safer, smarter browsing environment for your business.