When was the last time you saw one of those alarming pop-ups claiming your computer was infected?
The ones with flashing red warnings and urgent messages telling you to call “Microsoft support” immediately.
These scams, often referred to as scareware, are designed to create panic. The goal is simple. To pressure people into handing over money, credentials, or access to their device.
And even the most careful users can be caught off guard.
The good news is that Microsoft is stepping up its response.
In a recent update to Microsoft Edge, Microsoft has introduced a new scam protection feature that uses artificial intelligence to stop scareware before it even reaches the user.
This update is part of a broader effort to make Edge one of the most secure browsers available for both Windows and Mac users.
The new feature is called Scareware Blocker and it is enabled by default on most newer devices.
Scareware Blocker uses an AI model that can recognise the visual patterns commonly used by scam pages. These are the full-screen alerts designed to look like legitimate system warnings. Messages such as “your device is infected” or “call support immediately”.
When Edge detects one of these pages, it shuts it down instantly. This happens before the user or anyone in your team has a chance to click, call, or interact with something harmful.
That speed matters. Scams rely on panic and hesitation. Removing the page straight away removes the opportunity for damage.
If a scam does slip through and is reported, it helps protect others almost immediately.
Microsoft’s Microsoft Defender SmartScreen system learns from each report and blocks the same scam for other users. Often hours or even days before it would normally appear on global threat lists.
In testing, a single reported scam prevented around 50 other users from being targeted.
That kind of scale is difficult to achieve without automation and AI working in the background.
Microsoft has also introduced a new scareware sensor in the latest version of Edge.
This sensor helps Microsoft identify new scams in real time without sending personal data, screenshots, or browsing content elsewhere. Detection happens locally, keeping user privacy intact.
The sensor is currently switched off, but Microsoft has indicated it will soon be enabled automatically for anyone using SmartScreen.
Unfortunately, scams are becoming more common and more convincing.
One wrong click on a fake warning can lead to serious consequences. Stolen passwords. Financial loss. Or even ransomware attacks that bring operations to a halt.
While many scams are aimed at individuals, small and medium-sized businesses are increasingly being targeted.
Attackers know that just one employee slipping up can be enough.
Tools like the new scam protection in Edge help reduce that risk. AI reacts faster than people can and provides another layer of defence when teams are busy focusing on their work.
If your business uses Microsoft Edge, make sure you are running the latest version. The new scam protection features are already available and could save you a lot of trouble.
And if you are not sure how well your systems are protected against modern scams, it may be time for a security review.
At Perigon One, we help businesses understand their real-world security risks and put practical protections in place.
From browser-level safeguards to wider cyber resilience strategies, our focus is on keeping your people protected without slowing them down.
If you would like to understand how exposed your business may be to scams like these, get in touch with our team.
