One of the ways that you can protect yourself against phishing scams is to download and install the Microsoft Phishing Filter. The tool is available for free and it is designed to protect against phony Web sites that attempt to gather personal information about you when you are online.

The tool is very simple to install and requires no configuration afterwards. Getting this tool running on your computer is a two step process. You must first download and install the MSN Search Toolbar using the steps listed below:

1. Open Internet Explorer and go to http://toolbar.msn.com/.

2. Click Download Toolbar Now - Free.
3. From the File Download - Security Warning window, click Run.
4. When the Security Warning window appears, click Run to start the installation.
5. Click Next. If any programs are open, you will be prompted to close them.
6. Review the privacy statement and click I agree to the terms of use and the privacy statement. Click Next.
7. From the Customize MSN Search Toolbar, click the box beside Use the default settings and close this wizard.
8. Click Finish.
9. Click OK after reviewing the list of default settings.

The next step is to download and install the phishing filter as outlined below:

1. Open Internet Explorer and go to the following URL:
    http://addins.msn.com/addins_category_to….

2. From the list of add-ins, locate the Microsoft Phishing Filter Add-in for MSN Search Toolbar. Click Download.
3. From the File Download - Security Warning dialog box, click Run.
4. Click Run when the Internet Explorer - Security Warning dialog box appears.
5. Click Next.
6. Review the use and privacy statement. Click I agree to the terms of use and privacy statement. Click Next.
7. Select whether or not to participate in the customer improvement program. Click Install. Be sure to close any instances of Internet Explorer before proceeding.
8. Click Finish.

The Phishing Filter button will now be available on the MSN Search Toolbar within Internet Explorer.

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