Q. It
seems that Internet Explorer 7 is very
slow when going to some web pages. What
is causing this and is there a fix for
it?
A. This slow down is being
caused by the Phishing filter. The
phishing filter used in Internet
Explorer is explained by Microsoft like
this:
Phishing (pronounced "Fishing") is one
of the fastest growing threats on the
Internet and a form of identity theft.
It refers to high-tech scams using phony
Web sites with actual brands designed to
steal valuable personal information such
as user names, passwords, credit card
numbers, and Social Security numbers.
Phishers use many tactics including
creating and sending e-mail messages or
links to fraudulent Web sites or that
appear to be valid in an attempt to fool
you into submitting personal, financial,
and password information.
Often
an e-mail will be sent containing a link
taking you to a fraudulent Web site
appearing to be valid (like your bank or
mortgage company) so that you'll enter
your personal information. By using
well-known, trusted brand names and
logos, phishers are able to convince you
to respond to them.
Microsoft has recognized the slowdowns
that the Phishing Filter is causing and
has released a fix. This fix is not
installed automatically with the normal
updates, but you can download the patch
for free by visiting Knowledge Base
article
928089. Validation is required.
If that fix doesn't work for you, you
can disable the Phishing Filter by
clicking IE 7's Tools button, clicking
Phishing Filter, and then clicking Turn
off automatic phishing filter. You will
then be presented with this dialog:
Clicking OK will turn it off, but it not
recommended that you leave it off.
Disabling the Phishing Filter causes
you to lose real-time protection against
sites that look legitimate but are
actually hacker tricks. If you suspect
that a Web page you're visiting might
not be what it seems, click the Tools
button, then click Phishing Filter,
and then Check This Website. You'll receive
instant feedback on whether or not the
site has been reported as a phishing
scam.
Don't have a menu bar with the Tools
item in it? By default is isn't there so
here's how to make it visible. With IE
open, right click on the bar just to the
left of the Home icon and select "Menu
bar" and the menu bar will appear. Tool
is in it.
You can (and should) re-enable IE 7's
filter using the procedure as described
above. There's lots more info at
Microsoft's
antiphishing home page.
