The anti-phishing filter was originally slated to run exclusively with the Internet Explorer 7 browser, but with that version still in beta, the tool was pushed out to offer the protection to users of Internet Explorer 6, according to Justin Osmer, an MSN product manager.
The same underlying technology is being used to run on systems running Windows XP, with the Service Pack 2 security upgrade from last year, Osmer said.
The tool is designed to stop scammers from faking their way into users e-mail accounts and convincing them to give up sensitive information like passwords or other personal data.
A report issued earlier this year said the bogus attempts at getting passwords, credit card information, and other personal data cost $1.2 billion in damage to U.S. banks and credit card issuers in 2004.
