IE11 SmartScreen Filter: frequently asked questions

Solution:

What is the SmartScreen filter and how can it help protect my information?

SmartScreen filters help you identify reported phishing sites and malware sites, and help you make decisions about downloads under the circumstances. SmartScreen three ways to help protect your information security:

When you browse through the Web, it analyzes the Web page and determines whether the pages have any suspicious characteristics. Once a suspicious web page is found, SmartScreen will display a warning message giving you an opportunity to give feedback and prompt you to handle it carefully.

SmartScreen Check the site you are visiting against the dynamic list of phishing websites and malware sites reported. If a match is found, SmartScreen will display a warning informing you that the site has been blocked for your information security.

SmartScreen Check the files you downloaded from the Web against the list of malicious software sites and known unsafe programs reported. If a match is found, SmartScreen will warn you that the download has been blocked for your information security.

SmartScreen can also check your downloaded files against a list of well-known files that have been downloaded by many Internet Explorer users. If the downloaded file is not in the list, SmartScreen warns. Learn more about downloading files.

What should I do if SmartScreen warns against a site I visit, but this site is not an insecure site?

From this warning page, you can choose to report the site as a secure Web site. Click or click More information, and then click or click the "Report this site does not contain a threat" link to go to the Microsoft feedback Web site and follow the instructions.

If you visit a site and you think SmartScreen should issue a warning when you visit the site later, you can report the site to Microsoft by clicking or clicking the "Tools" button and pointing the mouse pointer to "safe".

Then select "Report Unsafe website".

Can I turn SmartScreen on or off?

In most cases, you can. In some cases, such as in the workspace network, this setting is managed by the system administrator and the settings cannot be changed.

On the Start screen, click or click Internet Explorer to open Internet Explorer.

Swipe from the right edge of the screen to the middle, and click Set.

(If you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then move the mouse pointer up, and then click Settings.) )

Click or click Privacy, and under WEB Services, switch SmartScreen to OFF.

To turn SmartScreen on or off on the desktop

Open the desktop, and then click or click the Internet Explorer icon in the taskbar.

Tap or click the Tools button, and then click or click Security.

Click or click Close SmartScreen Filter, and then select Close SmartScreen Filter or open SmartScreen filter.

In the Microsoft SmartScreen Filter dialog box, click or click OK.

Is the SmartScreen different from the Pop-up blocker?

OK. SmartScreen Check to see if there are any threats to your security in the site or downloaded files you visit. Pop-up Blocker restricts most pop-up windows in your site, which are usually ads, not necessarily malicious windows. For more information about Pop-up Blocker, see Security and privacy settings.