Internet Explorer 8, with assist of its SmartScreen Filter, has "blocked 1 billion efforts to download malware," Microsoft invention manager James Pratt said.

The SmartScreen Filter assesses URLs and their associated servers. If software identifies a server as having malicious substance, it displays a caution, saying it's dangerous to browse to a particular site that might cause harm on user's PC. The user is then given choice to persist to page or go back to their home page devoid of downloading any content.

As per the Microsoft, SmartScreen filter persists to progress. In August 2009, it blocked 70 million malware download efforts. At time, just 15 percent of Web users were surfing with Internet Explorer 8. At present, Microsoft reported, almost 26 percent of Web populace is using IE8, and corporation's SmartScreen filter is blocking "five times more malware month on month" contrast to August 2009.