When was the last time a website suddenly took over your screen and warned you that your computer was infected?
The message usually looks urgent. Bright colours. Flashing alerts. A warning sound. And a phone number telling you to call “Microsoft support” right away.
These messages are not real. They are part of a common online scam known as scareware. The goal is simple: scare you into acting before you have time to think.
Even people who are normally careful can get caught by these tricks. That is why new browser-level protections are becoming more important than ever, especially for small to medium-sized businesses.
Microsoft has recently taken a major step to address this problem. A new scam protection feature has been added to Microsoft Edge, using artificial intelligence to stop scareware before it can cause harm.
This article explains what scareware is, why it is such a risk for businesses, how the new Edge protection works, and what it means for organizations across Canada.
Throughout this article, we will focus on three key ideas: scam protection, cyber security, and small business IT.
Scareware is a form of online fraud designed to trigger panic. It usually appears as a fake security alert that claims your device has been infected with a virus or compromised by hackers.
These alerts often:
Appear suddenly and fill the entire screen
Use official-looking logos and language
Warn of immediate danger
Demand urgent action, such as calling a phone number or downloading software
The criminals behind these scams rely on fear and urgency. When people feel rushed, they are more likely to ignore warning signs and follow instructions without checking if they are real.
For individuals, the damage can include stolen passwords, credit card fraud, or identity theft. For businesses, the consequences can be far more serious.
Many people think scams only target individuals at home. That is no longer true.
Small and medium-sized businesses are now a major target for online criminals. There are several reasons for this:
Employees often have access to company systems and data
One mistake can expose an entire network
Smaller businesses may not have dedicated IT staff
Attackers know businesses are more likely to pay to fix problems
A single scareware incident can lead to:
Malware infections
Compromised email accounts
Stolen business credentials
Ransomware attacks
Business downtime
In a small business IT environment, even one successful scam can disrupt operations for days or weeks.
Microsoft has been investing heavily in cyber security across its products. The latest update to Edge is part of a broader effort to protect users before damage is done.
The new feature is called Scareware Blocker, and it is designed to stop fake alerts at the browser level.
Rather than relying only on known lists of bad websites, this tool uses artificial intelligence to identify scam behaviour as it happens.
This is important because many scam websites are short-lived. Criminals create them, run scams for a short time, then shut them down and move on. Traditional blocklists often react too slowly.
The Scareware Blocker in Microsoft Edge uses an on-device AI model. This means the detection happens directly on your computer, not on Microsoft’s servers.
The AI looks for patterns that are common in scareware attacks, such as:
Full-screen browser takeovers
Fake system error messages
Urgent language demanding immediate action
Pages designed to look like real operating system alerts
When Edge detects these signs, it stops the page instantly. The user never gets a chance to click on anything dangerous.
This proactive approach improves overall scam protection and reduces reliance on user awareness alone.
Another important part of this system is how it improves over time.
When a user reports a scam, that information feeds into Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. This system helps protect users across Microsoft products by blocking known malicious content.
Microsoft has shared that in testing, a single scam report helped prevent roughly 50 other users from encountering the same scam.
In some cases, these scams were blocked hours or even days before they would normally appear on global threat lists. That speed matters when dealing with fast-moving threats.
Microsoft has also added a new scareware sensor into the latest version of Edge.
This sensor helps identify new scam techniques in real time. Importantly, it does this without collecting personal data or screenshots from users.
Privacy remains a key concern for many organizations, and this design ensures protection without unnecessary data sharing.
At the moment, this sensor is turned off by default. Microsoft has stated that it will soon be enabled automatically for users who have SmartScreen turned on.
Many security tools focus on what happens after a threat enters a system. Browser-level protections stop threats earlier in the process.
Since most scams start with a web page, securing the browser is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk.
For businesses, this means:
Fewer support calls from panicked staff
Reduced risk of malware infections
Less chance of credential theft
Better overall cyber security posture
Relying only on training employees to “be careful” is not enough. Even well-trained staff can make mistakes under pressure.
Tools like this help close the gap between human behaviour and technical protection.
One important detail is that these protections apply to both Windows and Mac users.
Many organizations use a mix of operating systems. Having consistent scam protection across platforms simplifies security management and reduces weak points.
As long as Microsoft Edge is kept up to date, users can benefit from these features without additional software or complex setup.
Artificial intelligence is becoming a key part of modern cyber security strategies.
Unlike traditional security tools, AI can:
Detect new patterns instead of known threats only
Respond faster than human analysts
Adapt as attackers change their tactics
The Edge Scareware Blocker is a good example of how AI can be used responsibly. It focuses on behaviour, not personal data, and works quietly in the background.
As threats continue to evolve, AI-based tools will play a growing role in protecting both individuals and businesses.
Canadian small and medium-sized businesses face the same online threats as larger organizations, often with fewer resources.
Features like this help level the playing field by providing enterprise-grade protection through everyday tools.
However, no single feature can provide complete security.
Businesses should still:
Keep browsers and systems updated
Use layered security tools
Educate staff on common scams
Regularly review security settings
A strong cyber security approach combines technology, policy, and people.
To benefit from the new Edge scam protection:
Ensure Microsoft Edge is updated to the latest version
Confirm that Defender SmartScreen is enabled
Review browser security settings regularly
Many organizations delay updates due to concerns about disruption. However, security updates often address active threats and should be prioritized.
Scams are becoming more convincing, more targeted, and more frequent.
For small business IT environments, prevention is far less costly than recovery. A blocked scam is always better than dealing with the aftermath of a successful attack.
Browser-based protections reduce the number of decisions employees must make in stressful situations. That alone can significantly reduce risk.
Microsoft’s new scam protection in Edge shows how browser technology is evolving to meet modern threats.
As criminals continue to use fear and urgency as tools, defenders are using intelligence and automation to respond faster.
This shift benefits everyone, but especially smaller organizations that need effective protection without complex infrastructure.
Staying informed and keeping systems updated remains one of the simplest and most effective security steps any business can take.
Robertson Technology Group is a Canadian-based provider of managed technology security and support solutions for small to medium-sized businesses across Canada. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, the company focuses on helping organizations with 5 to 200 employees manage their technology safely and efficiently. By taking the burden of IT management off internal teams, Robertson Technology Group allows businesses to focus on their core work while knowing their systems are professionally monitored and protected. With a personalized approach to customer service, flexible pricing models, and a strong focus on cyber security, the company works closely with clients to deliver practical, reliable solutions that fit real-world business needs.