Internet Safety : Google Safe Browsing Diagnostic

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But there are other dangers lurking, peeking round the corners of the web, furtive and sneaky, waiting for us to lower our guard so they can sneak in and harm us. These are the worms, trojans, bugs and other malicious software, generally known as malware, that seek to bypass our security protocols and wreak havoc on our computer systems and our lives. These are the little b's that prevent us from undertaking safe surfing on the internet.

We secure our homes. We secure our computers with the utilization of firewalls and 'Internet security packages', to get safe online, but still they come. We are at their mercy. One slip and we shall fall into their trap. We take internet safety very seriously.

But would it not be better to see, and understand, from whence the attacks might come? Have not others investigated the paths that are trod by these infiltrators? Have not the engines that serve us our daily fodder determined which batch of fodder is poison?

Google knows about them. Google despises them. Google wants to keep you safe. Google will advise you, if you know where to go for their advice. Advisory notices are out there in the Googlesphere for those that wish to be proactive instead of reactive: when it might be too late.

Google safe browsing - diagnostic tool for the individual and for the website owner.

• http://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=
• and then add the site you are interested in, such as googleusercontent.com/
• to make the URL:

http://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=googleusercontent.com/

For the individual it does everything one would expect it to say on the tin. Additional internet safety is within your grasp.

I undertook a Google 'safebrowsing' diagnostic for googleusercontent.com. The results are shown above. They are broken down into four answers to these specific questions:

• What is the current listing status?
• What happened when Google visited the site?
• Has this site acted as an intermediary resulting in further distribution of malware?
• Has this site hosted malware?

The answer to the first should be that the site is not currently listed as suspicious - if it is otherwise then you should refrain from using it.

The information in the answer to the second question details the results of tests conducted by Google over the past 90 days. You can see from the screenshot that googleusercontent.com had a malicious software incident within those 90 days and the diagnostic details the type(s) and origin of the malicious events.

The answer to the third question details which sites were infected, whilst googleusercontent acted as the intermediary.

The fourth answer confirms, or otherwise whether the site in question has hosted malware, and in turn, which domains became infected.

The example just goes to show that even Google can have malicious software infecting it.

The diagnostic also goes on to give information about the next steps that can be taken. If you are a website owner and utilize Google Webmaster Tools, then a review of your site can be requested there. If you are an individual it is probably best to stay away from any of the infected websites.

For the website owner Google's safe browsing diagnostic alleviates the worry that some fiend has hacked into your unprepossessing web-pages and placed a viper in their bosom.

How much damage can you prevent by utilising this little piece of scanware, free-of-charge at that? How much is it worth to get safe online; to keep your clientele secure online; to make web safety one of your priorities?

Being aware is being preventative. Preventing the storm of indignation that would ensue should your website place malicious software onto the computer's of your visitors. How much value do you place on ensuring internet safety for your clients?

You will be pleased to know that I have undertaken a diagnostic for Wizzley and that all is fair and dandy in the perfumed garden that is our home.

If you are making your living from your website, being hijacked could be the terminating factor for your income. Be prepared. Be forewarned. Be altruistic. Take the burden of responsibility upon yourself and check regularly that it is not you that pass on an infection, that causes any disruption to safe surfing on the internet. Be magnanimous. Undertake to rid your customers of the likelihood that you will do them ill.

Use the b.....y safe browsing diagnostic tool to ensure internet safety for all.