If you want to catch more fish, bring a bigger net.

Microsoft is applying that adage to its anti-phishing efforts by signing up with three data providers to cast a wider net on known phishing Web sites. Cyota, Internet Identity and MarkMonitor will each deliver regular updates of known phishing Web sites to use with the Microsoft Phishing Filter. When a user visits a Web site, the URL is checked against the database and warned if it's on the list.

The Microsoft filter can be found in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista, in beta now, as well as the Microsoft Phishing Filter add-in for the MSN Search Toolbar.

The data will also populate the Microsoft SmartScreen Technology used for MSN Hotmail and Windows Live Mail beta customers. It's not a perfect solution for fighting phishing, officials acknowledge, but it's a start.

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