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The Microsoft Phishing Filter
When you first run Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 you will be asked if you wish to turn the Phishing filter on. Though the Phishing filter can slightly slow your web browsing experience we recommend that you turn it on for the best browsing security. (See our security section for more information about staying safe online.)

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Phishing Filter On

What is the Phishing Filter?
Phishing Filter is a feature in Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 that helps detect phishing websites. The Phishing Filter uses three methods to help protect you from phishing scams. First, it compares the addresses of websites you visit against a list of sites reported to Microsoft as legitimate. This list is stored on your computer. Second, it helps analyse the sites you visit to see if they have the characteristics common to a phishing website. Third, with your consent, Phishing Filter sends some website addresses to Microsoft to be further checked against a frequently updated list of reported Phishing Websites.

If the site you are visiting is on the list of reported Phishing Websites, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 will display a warning web page and a notification on the Address bar. From the warning web page, you can continue or close the page. If the website contains characteristics common to a phishing site but isn't on the list, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 will only notify you in the Address bar that it might possibly be a Phishing Website. If you believe that you have encountered a Phishing website that is not marked as such or only produces an Address bar warning you are strongly encouraged to report the site to Microsoft.

What information is sent to Microsoft?
When you use Phishing Filter to check websites automatically or manually, the address of the website you are visiting will be sent to Microsoft, together with some standard information from your computer such as your computer's IP address, browser type, and Phishing Filter version number. To help protect your privacy, the address information sent to Microsoft is encrypted using SSL and limited to the domain and path of the website you are visiting. Other information that might be associated with the web address, such as search terms, information you entered in forms, or cookies, will not be sent.

For example, if you visited the MSN search website at http://search.msn.com and entered "MySecret" as the search term, instead of sending the full address "http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=MySecret&FORM=QBHP", Phishing Filter would remove the search term and only send "http://search.msn.com/results.aspx".

Anonymous statistics about your use of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 and Phishing Filter will also be sent to Microsoft, such as the time and total number of websites browsed since an address was sent to Microsoft for analysis. This information, along with the information described above, will be used to analyse and improve the Phishing Filter service. Microsoft will not use the information it receives to personally identify you. For more information about what information is sent and how it is used, see the Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 privacy statement.

Is Phishing Filter always on?
When you first install Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, Phishing Filter only compares the addresses of the websites you visit against the list of legitimate websites that is saved on your computer. It also helps analyse these sites to see if they have the characteristics common to a phishing website. No information is sent to Microsoft unless you choose to send it. The first time you visit a website that is not on the legitimate website list, you will be prompted to indicate whether you want to check websites automatically. If you choose this option, Phishing Filter will send certain website addresses to Microsoft to be checked against a frequently updated list of reported phishing sites and alert you about suspicious or reported phishing websites.

How do I check a website manually?
If you choose not to check websites automatically, the Phishing Filter icon will be displayed on the Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 status bar. To check the website, click the icon, and then click Check This Website. You can also check websites from Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 by following these steps.

To manually check a website

1. In Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, go to a website you want to check.
2. Click the Tools button, click Phishing Filter, and then click Check This Website.
   
   Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Web Browser Phishing Filter Check This Website

What does it mean when a website is flagged as suspicious?
A website that is flagged as suspicious has some of the characteristics typical of phishing websites, and it is neither on the list of legitimate websites that is stored on your computer nor on the online list of reported phishing websites. The website might actually be legitimate, but you should not submit any personal or financial information to it unless you are certain that the site is trustworthy.

What does it mean when a website is flagged as a reported phishing site?
A reported phishing website is one that has been identified as fraudulent and reported to Microsoft.

One of the sites I visit is being flagged by Phishing Filter, but it's not a phishing website. What can I do?
If you believe that a website has been mistakenly flagged as a phishing site, do the following:

To report errors to Microsoft

1. In Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, go to the website that is inaccurately being reported as a phishing website.
2. Click the Tools button, click Phishing Filter, and then click Report This Website.
   
   Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Web Browser Phishing Filter Report This Website
3. Use the web page that is displayed to report the error. (Leave the checkbox I think this is a phishing site unchecked and click on Submit to continue.)
   
   Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Web Browser Phishing Filter Report Site Non-Phishing

How do I report a phishing website?
To report a phishing website

1. In Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, go to the phishing website.
2. Click the Tools button, click Phishing Filter, and then click Report This Website.
   
   Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Web Browser Phishing Filter Report This Website
3. Use the web page that is displayed to report the website. (Tick the checkbox I think this is a phishing site and click on Submit to continue.)
   
   Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Web Browser Phishing Filter Report Site Phishing

Should I believe a website that tells me to ignore the Phishing Filter warning?
No! Phishing Filter uses reputable information to alert you to phishing and fraudulent websites. In addition, website owners can contact Microsoft if their websites are mistakenly flagged as a phishing site. If a website tells you to ignore Phishing Filter's warnings, do not ignore the warnings and do not enter any personal or financial information.

How do I turn Phishing Filter off?
To turn Phishing Filter off

1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, click Phishing Filter, and then click Phishing Filter Settings.
   
   Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Web Browser Phishing Filter Settings
2. Scroll to the Phishing Filter section under Security in the list of options, click Disable Phishing Filter, and then click OK.
   
   Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Web Browser Disable Phishing Filter

Phishing Filter will not check or warn you about phishing sites now.

How do I turn Phishing Filter back on?
To turn on Phishing Filter

1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, click Phishing Filter, and then click Turn On Automatic Website Checking.
   
   Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Web Browser Turn Phishing Filter On
2. Select Turn on automatic Phishing Filter, and then click OK.
   
   Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Web Browser Turn On Phishing Filter

What can I do to help protect myself from online phishing?
Here are some quick tips that might help protect you from online phishing:

• Never give out personal information in an e-mail, instant message, or pop-up window.
• Do not click links in e-mail and instant messages from strangers or any link that looks suspicious. Because even messages from friends and family can be faked, check with the sender to be sure they actually sent the message.
• Only use websites that provide privacy statements or information about how they use your personal information.
• Routinely review your financial statements and credit history and report any suspicious activity.
• Keep Windows and Internet Explorer updated. To do this, click the Tools button, and then click Windows Update.

What should I do if I think I've entered my personal or financial information into a phishing website?
Immediately doing the following might help:

• Change the passwords or PINs on all your online accounts.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Check with your bank or financial advisor if you're not sure how to do this.
• Contact the bank or the online merchant directly. Do not follow the link in the fraudulent e-mail.
• If you know of any accounts that were accessed or opened fraudulently, close those accounts.

What do I do if I discover that I've been a victim of fraud?
Immediately doing the following might help:

• File a report with the local police.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Check with your bank or financial advisor if you're not sure how to do this.
• Change the passwords or PINs on all your online accounts.
• Contact the bank or the online merchant directly. Do not follow the link in the fraudulent e-mail.
• If you know of any accounts that were accessed or opened fraudulently, close those accounts.

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