Google to warn about malicious sites

1 in 3 Web Users Are Victims of Viruses, Spyware Or Phishers

Google is issuing this warning to people who try to click on links to sites with spyware or other malicious code: "The site you are about to visit may harm your computer!"

The user may continue to the site if they wish, or visit StopBadware.org to learn more about the project, which is also sponsored by Google.

Unlike competitor SiteAdvisor the program is new and there are an extremely limited number of malicious sites identified at this time. SiteAdvisor has a much more comprehensive list and works with search engines from Google, Yahoo and others. Still every little bit helps

According to an AP article a Google company statement said "To begin we'll only be identifying a small number of sites, but we'll be expanding our coverage over time, Finding new and better ways to protect our users is a perpetual project, and we'll continue to work hard in this area."

By Antone Gonsalves, TechWeb
6:57 PM EDT Tue. Aug. 08, 2006
reprinted from CRN.com


The odds of becoming a victim of viruses, spyware, or phishing are about one in three, Consumer Reports said Tuesday in its annual report on the Internet.

In addition, U.S. consumers spent at least $7.8 billion over the last two years for computer repairs, parts and replacements, because of malware attacks, the non-profit magazine found in its 2006 State of the Net report.

The odds of becoming a cyber-victim were the same as last year, an indication that efforts to combat cyber-crooks were having some impact, Consumer Reports said. Declines were recorded in virus and spyware infections since 2005, but both remained epidemics.

The spring survey of 2,000 U.S. households with Internet access also found 20 percent without antivirus software and 35 percent without spyware blockers installed in computers.
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