Apparently, just doing an innocent web search is more likely to lead you to malware-laden websites than any other activity, even visiting porn sites. The issue? Search engine poisoning! Of particular concern are image searches since you are unable to immediately detect what website your browser will take you to. Dangerous stuff!
We’ve been talking about this for quite a while. Hackers and cybercriminals try to trick us in going to websites whose servers they’ve infected, or websites they’ve created just in the last few days and then we inadvertently download their malicious programs, and/or give up our account credentials or credit cards.
Making a mistake, clicking the wrong link, downloading a sneaky app disguised as something useful – just think how easily a non-tech savvy user, an inexperienced user or even someone in a hurry might fall for these scams. I am happy to tell you that one part of the solution is even easier to get. Norton has a fantastic system for detecting, reporting and blocking these dangerous sites. Millions of users worldwide are already participating in our Norton Safe Web efforts and you can reap the benefit. Norton Safe Web is a free website you can visit, even if you aren’t a customer. Check out a website to see if it’s safe or report one you had trouble with. Read the reviews from our user community. Or you can use the Norton Safe Web scanner built into our security suites (like Norton Internet Security and Norton 360) and in the free Norton Safe Web Lite toolbar to instantly know if your search engine results are safe or malicious. Color coding (red=dangerous; green=safe) make it easy for your children, your grandmother, your boss and even you to stay safe online. Let’s not forget our social networks are at risk too! Norton Safe Web is there as well, with Norton Safe Web for Facebook to ensure all your links are squeaky clean.
Make sure you are using Norton Safe Web as part of a whole security strategy that begins with using a comprehensive security suite on all your computers, using passwords that are complex and unique and being wary of anything that looks like social engineering.