Phishing (pronounced "Fishing") is one of the fastest growing threats on the Internet and a form of identity theft. It refers to high-tech scams using phony web sites with actual brands designed to steal valuable personal information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and Social Security numbers.
Often an e-mail will be sent containing a link taking you to a fraudulent Web site appearing to be valid (like your bank or mortgage company) so that you'll enter your personal information. By using well-known, trusted brand names and logos, phishers are able to convince you to respond to them.
The Phishing Filter Add-in offers access to a new dynamic online service, updated several times an hour to warn you and help protect your personal information from these fraudulent websites by:
- Scanning websites you visit and warning you if they are potentially suspicious.
- Dynamically checking the web sites you visit with up to the hour online information via an online service run by - Microsoft and blocking you from sharing personal information if a site is a known phishing website.
Requires: Win XP SP2, IE 6 and
MSN Toolbar installed.