Microsoft reaches out for new anti-phishing program

Cyota, MarkMonitor and Internet Identity have all teamed with the computer giant to create Microsoft Phishing Filter.

The program will be available as part of the upcoming Internet Explorer 7, which will warn users and restrict access to confirmed phishing sites, the companies said last week. The Phishing Filter data will also be used to protect users of MSN Hotmail and Windows Live Mail beta users.

Amir Orad, executive vice president at Cyota, said in a statement that financial institutions are one group that will benefit from the improvement.

"We strongly believe that a multi-layered approach is the best way to help protect Internet users from online financial fraud," he said.

The anti-phishing offering will increase the safety level of the internet, said Mark Shull, chief executive officer of MarkMonitor.

"We believe Microsoft's new offerings represent a major step forward in providing anti-phishing protection for our corporate customers as well as Microsoft's end users, and furthers our mutual goal of making the internet safe for conducting business," he said.

The service will also be available for users of Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista. Rod Rasmussen, director of operations for Internet Identity, called the partnership "a huge win for our customers."

"With its reach, the Microsoft Phishing Filter will help provide the definitive method to quickly render phishing sites ineffective," he said.

www.microsoft.com
www.cyota.com
www.markmonitor.com
www.internetidentity.com