When was the last time you saw one of those pop-ups claiming your computer was infected?

You know the ones: flashing red warnings and a fake phone number to “call Microsoft support.”
That’s scareware. It’s designed to scare you into giving away money or access to your device. Even the most careful folks can get caught off guard.

The good news is, Microsoft is stepping up to help.
With a recent update to its Edge browser, Microsoft has introduced a scam protection tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to block these fake alerts before they ever reach you.

This is all part of the push to make Edge one of the safest browsers for both Windows and Mac users.

Edge now includes a Scareware Blocker, which is turned on by default for most newer computers.
This tool uses AI to spot those full-screen scam pages pretending to be system alerts. If it detects one, it shuts it down right away, before you or anyone on your team can click anything risky.

If someone does report a scam, it helps everyone else too. Microsoft’s Defender SmartScreen system learns from those reports and blocks the same scam for others, sometimes hours or days before they would show up on threat lists.

In tests, a single report stopped about 50 other people from being targeted.

There’s also a new scareware sensor in the latest Edge. This helps Microsoft spot new scams in real time, and it keeps your personal info private. It’s turned off for now, but Microsoft will soon enable it automatically for anyone using SmartScreen.

Unfortunately, scams are everywhere, and they’re getting more clever. One wrong click on a fake alert can lead to stolen passwords, drained bank accounts, or even ransomware.

Criminals know that small businesses are often a target. It only takes one person slipping up to open the door.

That’s why tools like Edge’s new protection matter. With AI on your side, you’re better protected, and your team can focus on real work.

If your business uses Microsoft Edge, check that you’re running the latest version. The new scam blocker could save you a lot of trouble.

Not sure how secure your systems are against scams like this? Now’s a great time for a security check. Our team is here to help, just reach out if you want extra peace of mind.