How Can You Shield Employees from Dangerous Tech Scams Using Microsoft Edge?

Why Are Fake Virus Alerts Threatening Your Business and How to Stop Them Instantly?

Picture this: your finance team receives pop-ups claiming their computers are infected. These alerts look real. They demand immediate action. Workers panic and click dangerous links. This puts your entire company at risk.

This nightmare scenario happens daily across businesses worldwide. Scareware attacks target unsuspecting employees with fake security warnings. These malicious pop-ups trick people into downloading harmful software or paying for services they don’t need.

What is Scareware and Why Should You Care?

Scareware represents one of the most deceptive cyber threats facing modern workplaces. These fake alerts mimic legitimate antivirus warnings. They create false emergencies to manipulate user behavior.

Common scareware tactics include:

• Fake virus detection alerts
• Bogus system security warnings
• Misleading software update notifications
• False malware infection messages
• Counterfeit tech support pop-ups

The financial impact can be devastating. Data breaches cost companies millions. Credential theft compromises sensitive information. Productivity drops when systems become infected. Help desk tickets multiply as confused employees seek assistance.

Microsoft Edge’s Smart Defense System

Microsoft Edge includes an AI-powered protection feature called Scareware Block Protection. This intelligent system recognizes suspicious websites and warning patterns. When activated, it alerts users before they fall victim to tech scams.

Key benefits of this protection:

• Proactive threat detection
• Real-time user warnings
• Reduced malware infections
• Lower help desk burden
• Enhanced browsing confidence

However, this powerful feature requires proper configuration through Microsoft Intune to work across your organization.

Step-by-Step Configuration Guide

Step 1. Access Microsoft Intune Admin Center

Start by signing into the Microsoft Intune Admin center. Navigate to the main dashboard where you’ll manage device policies.

Step 2. Create New Policy Profile

1. Go to Devices > Windows > Configuration
2. Click Create > New Policy
3. Select Windows 10 and later as your platform
4. Choose Settings catalog as the profile type
5. Click Create to proceed

Step 3. Name Your Policy

Give your policy a clear, descriptive name. This helps identify its purpose later. Consider names like “Edge Scareware Protection – Finance Team” or “Anti-Scareware Policy – All Users.”

Adding a description helps other administrators understand the policy’s function.

Step 4. Configure Protection Settings

From the Configuration tab, access the settings catalog:

1. Click +Add settings to open the Settings Picker
2. Browse by category to find Microsoft Edge – Default settings
3. Select Scareware Blocker settings
4. Choose Configure Edge Scareware Blocker Protection

You have two options:

• Disable Protection (Default): Users receive no scareware warnings
• Enable Protection (Recommended): Users get proactive scam alerts

Select Enable Protection for maximum security.

Step 5. Apply Scope Tags (Optional)

Scope tags help organize and restrict policy visibility. This step is optional but useful for large organizations with multiple departments.

Step 6. Assign to User Groups

Choose which groups receive this protection:

1. Click +Add groups under Included groups
2. Select your target groups from the list
3. Click Select to confirm your choices

Consider applying this policy to all users for comprehensive protection.

Step 7. Review and Deploy

The Review + Create tab shows all policy details. Verify everything looks correct before deployment. Click Create to activate the policy across your selected devices.

Monitoring and Verification

Check Policy Status

Monitor deployment success through the Intune portal:

1. Navigate to Devices > Configuration
2. Search for your policy name
3. Verify the status shows as “Succeeded“

Verify Local Implementation

Confirm the policy reached client devices using Event Viewer:

1. Open Start > Event Viewer on a target device
2. Go to Application and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > DeviceManagement-Enterprise-Diagnostics-Provider > Admin
3. Filter for Event ID 814
4. Look for ScarewareBlockerProtectionEnabled entries

This verification ensures the protection is active on user devices.

Managing Your Protection Policy

Removing Group Assignments

If you need to exclude certain groups:

1. Open the policy in Intune Portal
2. Edit the Assignments tab
3. Remove unwanted groups
4. Save changes

Deleting the Policy

To completely remove scareware protection:

1. Navigate to the Configuration section
2. Find your policy
3. Delete it from the portal

This removes protection from all assigned devices.

Real-World Impact

Consider a financial services company experiencing increased scareware attacks. Employees in accounting receive frequent fake virus alerts during tax season. These attacks target workers handling sensitive financial data.

After implementing scareware protection, the company sees immediate results:

• Reduced security incidents by 80%
• Fewer help desk tickets related to browser issues
• Increased employee confidence while browsing
• Protected sensitive financial data from theft

The AI-powered protection works silently in the background. Users browse safely without constant interruptions from malicious pop-ups.

Why This Protection Matters

Scareware attacks continue evolving. Criminals create increasingly sophisticated fake alerts. Traditional security training alone cannot stop every attack. Technical controls like Edge’s scareware protection provide essential backup defense.

This protection layer works 24/7 without requiring user decisions. It blocks threats before they reach your employees. The result is stronger security with minimal user impact.

Your organization gains peace of mind knowing AI technology actively guards against deceptive threats. Employees can focus on their work instead of worrying about suspicious pop-ups.

Implementing this protection takes just minutes but provides lasting security benefits. The investment in proper configuration pays dividends through reduced security incidents and improved productivity.