OK, let’s be honest. On the surface this has to be one of the smartest moves AOL has made in a very long time, right? Perhaps, but what is to keep them from going further? While I support this current effort without objection, could they not also begin going further by choosing content that they deem as ‘AOL friendly’? What about a site known to slam the company? Might they start blocking that as well? It is unlikely, but it is something to consider as one possible future.

America Online on Wednesday is expected to unveil plans to block identity theft sites and monitor suspected Web sites around the clock.

The online unit of Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX - news) struck a partnership with Cyota, a New York-based online security company, to help identify and block sites imitating legitimate companies, such as banks that are suspected of soliciting personal information, or “phishing.”

“Phishing and identity theft are the fastest-growing security threats online,” said Tatiana Platt, an AOL senior vice president said in a statement. “By limiting our members’ access to suspected phishing sites, we’re trying to cut the lines before a phisher can reel them in.” [Read the rest]