Scam websites are increasing in numbers on the Web and being hijacked to a malicious website can do a lot of damage to your PC as well as your personal identity. Search engines are no exception to the rule when it comes to clicking on a dangerous website because they are unable to determine whether or not a site is malicious based on the link and the site description. This is why it is helpful to use a website authentication tool.
What is a Website Authentication Tool?
A website authentication tool can provide you with information about the safety of a website before you actually visit the site. A website authentication tool helps to protect you, your browser, and your PC by performing the following functions:
* Internet Scans: A website authentication tool is capable of scanning the Internet for what websites are safe and what ones are potentially malicious. It performs the scans on a regular basis and then creates a database of all of the websites. In addition to the database it creates, it also keeps track of consumer complaints regarding malicious website activity and the URL address of the website in question. This way there is a good balance of automated activity and human interaction.
* Advanced Scanning System: Website authentication tools are capable of performing advanced scans of websites and their usual activity. The tool can determine if the website engages in spamming practices, uses excessive pop-ups for advertising and other uses, and checks to see if the content in the downloads are safe and free of viruses and malware.
* Affiliate Site Checks: Affiliate sites are product websites that other websites link to for the purpose of earning a commission for sending people to the site to buy products or services. A website authentication tool can check these sites and their links to affiliates to ensure that the links you are clicking on are not deceptive.
How Do You Use a Website Authentication Tool?
Antivirus programs such as McAfee provide website authentication tools. When you download the antivirus program, depending upon the package you purchased, a website authentication tool will accompany the download. The tool will position itself on your browser toolbar to provide advice on websites that you pull up in the search results.
When the search engine returns your results, you will see an icon next to each link indicating whether or not the site is trustworthy or if it is a site in question. When you place your mouse cursor next to the link, the site advisor window will appear to inform you about the status of the website before you click on the link.
It is a good idea to employ a website authentication tool because it can help to prevent disasters before they happen. Even the best antivirus program cannot always keep hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in your browser, so the added protection is well worth it.
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