U.K.-based Web security firm Netcraft on Wednesday released a Firefox plugin of the anti-phishing toolbar that’s been available for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer since December 2004.

Netcraft toolbar, which installs as a Firefox extension, or plug-in, automatically blocks suspected phishing sites identified by other users and verified by Netcraft. The company’s database of Web site information is also used to display several attributes of any visited site, including its country location, longevity, and popularity.

Basically, Netcraft anti-phishing system consists of a user interface implemented as a toolbar (a small program that is active whenever the user is using a web browser) and central servers, able to respond quickly to large numbers of requests as each user moves around the web. The central servers are managed by Netcraft and hold the information about URLs and sites provided by the Toolbar community and Netcraft.

At the moment, Netcraft Toolbar can be used simultaneously with Google Toolbar, but not fully compatibled with MSN Toolbar.

Download Netcraft Toolbar

[Source]