Internet Explorer SmartScreen Filter - Turn On or Off

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Turn Internet Explorer SmartScreen Filter On or Off in Windows 7

Information

SmartScreen Filter is a feature in Windows 7 Internet Explorer that helps detect phishing websites, and can also help protect you from installing malicious software or malware.

Online phishing (pronounced like the word fishing) is a way to trick computer users into revealing personal or financial information through an e‑mail message or website. A common online phishing scam starts with an e‑mail message that looks like an official notice from a trusted source, such as a bank, credit card company, or reputable online merchant. In the e‑mail message, recipients are directed to a fraudulent website where they are asked to provide personal information, such as an account number or password. This information is then typically used for identity theft.
The terms malicious software and malware refer to programs that pose a security or privacy risk by demonstrating illegal, viral, fraudulent, or malicious behavior. For example, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are malicious software.

This will show you how to turn SmartScreen filter on or off.

NOTE

SmartScreen Filter helps to protect you in three ways:

It operates in the background as you browse the web, analyzing webpages and determining if they have any characteristics that might be suspicious. If it finds suspicious webpages, SmartScreen will display a message giving you an opportunity to provide feedback and advising you to proceed with caution.
SmartScreen Filter checks the sites you visit against an up-to-the-hour, dynamic list of reported phishing sites and malicious software sites. If it finds a match, SmartScreen Filter will show you a red warning notifying you that the site has been blocked for your safety.
SmartScreen Filter also checks files downloaded from the web against the same dynamic list of reported malicious software sites. If it finds a match, SmartScreen Filter will show a red warning notifying you that the download has been blocked for your safety.

WARNING

SmartScreen Filter uses an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) web connection to send website addresses to Microsoft. For more information about what data is sent and how it is used, go to the Internet Explorer Privacy Statement online.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: SmartScreen Filter Enabled with a Considered Unsafe Website
NOTE: If the SmartScreen Filter is turned on and you attempt to visit a website that isn't considered safe, the below screen will appear prompting you to take alternative actions. When active, the SmartScreen Filter will also notify you when you attempt to download software that is potentially unsafe.

METHOD ONE:
From Set Up Internet Explorer 8 Options

NOTE

This is for when you open Internet Explorer 8 for the very first time after installing Windows 7 or right after you have reset Internet Explorer 8. You will get a choice about turning SmartScreen Filter on or off.

1. Open Internet Explorer for the first time.

2. Select (dot) the Choose custom settings option and click on Next button. (See screenshot below)

3. Select your other options and click on the Next button until you get to the last option window.

4. To Turn On the SmartScreen Filter -
A) Select (dot) Turn on SmartScreen Filter. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Turn Off the SmartScreen Filter -
A) Select (dot) Turn off SmartScreen Filter. (See screenshot below step 6)

6. Click on the Finish button. (See screenshot below)

METHOD TWO:
Through Internet Options

1. Open Internet Explorer 8.
A) Click on Tools (Menu Bar or Command Bar icon button)

B) Go to step 3.

OR

2. Open the Control Panel (All items View).

3. Click on Internet Options.

4. Click on the Advanced tab and scroll down to the Security section. (See screenshot below)

5. To Turn On the SmartScreen Filter -
A) Check the Enable SmartScreen Filter box, and click on OK.. (See screenshot above)

B) Click on OK to confirm. (See screenshot below)

7. To Turn Off the SmartScreen Filter -
A) Uncheck the Enable SmartScreen Filter box, and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 4)

METHOD THREE:
Through Safety Command Bar Button

1. Open Internet Explorer 8.

2. Click on the Command Bar Safety icon button. (See screenshot below)

3. To Turn On SmartScreen Filter -
NOTE: This is if it SmartScreen Filter is currently turned off.
A) Click on SmartScreen Filter and Turn On SmartScreen Filter. (See screenshot above)

B) Dot Turn on SmartScreen Filter (recommended) and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 4)

4. To Turn Off SmartScreen Filter -
NOTE: This is if it SmartScreen Filter is currently turned on.
A) Click on SmartScreen Filter and Turn Off SmartScreen Filter. (See screenshot below step 2)

B) Dot Turn off SmartScreen Filter and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn