Microsoft Incorporates Digital Resolve Technology In IE

Microsoft in cooperation with Digital Resolve Inc. is trying to run techniques of Data Mining into Internet Explorer to combat phishing attacks and online scams. It is another attempt to safeguard people from browsing fake websites that lure people to disclose their personal information to cyber criminals.

Digital Resolve has lent its 'Trusted Server' technology to Microsoft to build a list of websites along with their valid IP addresses that would be safe from phishing attacks. This technology would be loaded in Internet Explorer browser (version 6 & 7) as well as 'Windows Live' browser search toolbar.

Alan Packer, product unit manager of Microsoft Anti-Phishing team applauded Digital Resolve's data feeds quality, which Microsoft has made an important addition to its varied network of data provider partners. This contract implies Microsoft's objective of bringing to its ambit a wide range of data sources from both third parties and consumers to guard them from phishing.

The new technology focuses on websites of e-commerce providers and those of financial institutions. Each website is checked for authorized IP address, domain name, ISP location and others. In totality the technology checks for 39 different aspects about the authenticity of the websites. A checking is also done for the duration of validity of a registered domain.

According to Litan, Vice President, Gartner Inc., the cyber industry has taken up the responsibility of not just protecting consumers but also instilling in them a feeling of safety when they surf the Internet and make it a top priority. This is necessary because the Internet players have the widest reach and greatest impact on Internet trading. Mr. Litan adds that authentication of websites brought to the surfers' desktops is an effective way to abort damages from phishing attacks before consumers are tricked into fraud.

Says Susan Daw of Digital Resolve, the technology will allow phishing filters not only to sift malicious sites but also cull good sites instead of comparing website addresses with blacklists. For e.g., if the URL, Barclays.com is typed, the technology will match it with an IP address and then check it with the list to see if the URL.

Related article: Microsoft Patches Live OneCare to Tackle Quarantined E-Mails

» SPAMfighter News - 9/13/2006