Phishing is the practise of fake emails and websites being used to solicit personal information from users that can then be used to access bank accounts and commit other kinds of fraud.
AOL is attempting to stamp out the practice and has partnered with the online security company Cyota, to help beat phishers. It will evaluate potential phishing sites based on member feedback, and when one is identified, it will limit access through AOL and inform members who visit it that it is suspected of being a dangerous site.
It will also block access to websites that attempt to spoof pages of AOL and other legitimate companies including banks, credit card companies and online auctions.
Tatiana Platt, chief trust officer at AOL, said: "Phishing and identity theft are the fastest-growing security threats online, and we will work around the clock to protect our members with the tools we have available.
"By limiting our members' access to suspected phishing sites, we're trying to cut the lines before a phisher can reel them in and steal sensitive financial and personal information."
AOL has been at the forefront of the battle against spammers, uniting with other ISPs to file lawsuits against people who send junk emails. It also ran a competition to give away a Porsche that had been seized from a spammer.
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