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COPYRIGHT 2005 The Dallas Morning News
Byline: Mike Goldfein
Aug. 27--Microsoft Corp. will soon release a security tool for its Internet browser that privacy advocates say could allow the company to track the surfing habits of computer users. Microsoft officials say the company has no intention of doing so.
The new feature, which Microsoft will make available as a free download within the next few weeks, is prompting some controversy, as it will inform the company of Web sites that users are visiting.
The browser tool is being called a "Phishing Filter." It is designed to warn computer users about "phishing," an online identity theft scam. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that about 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2005, costing the economy $52.6 billion dollars.
But privacy groups are already raising questions about how this feature will work, and some computer security experts are questioning whether it will be effective.
Phishing fraud normally begins when computer users receive e-mails appearing to be...
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