SiteAdvisor plug-in warns surfers of dodgy sites

IDG News Service - Web surfers can now get a little free advice on the trustworthiness of the sites they visit, thanks to a new browser plug-in released Wednesday by Boston's SiteAdvisor Inc.

The SiteAdvisor software, which works with both Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers, draws on information compiled from millions of automated Web site visits to let users know whether these sites are likely to yield annoyances such as spam, spyware or computer viruses.

SiteAdvisor warns users when they are visiting untrustworthy Web sites by placing a red "X" in the bottom corner of the browser. A yellow exclamation mark means that users should be cautious, because tests have revealed some issues with the site, and a green checkmark means that the site is trustworthy.

With the Google, MSN and Yahoo search pages, SiteAdvisor actually superimposes its ratings icons right on top of items in the search results, making it easy for users to see when they may be on the verge of clicking on a dubious Web site.

SiteAdvisor believes that unwitting Web surfers make more than 1 billion visits to untrustworthy "red" sites every month.

The company's database doesn't include every Web site on the Internet, but it covers sites that account for about 95% of all Web traffic, SiteAdvisor said.

The SiteAdvisor plug-ins are available for free now, and the company plans to deliver a premium version of the product by September, said Chief Technology Officer Doug Wyatt. He could not say what the company expects to charge for the premium SiteAdvisor or describe any of its features, noting that details are still being worked out.

With spam and spyware registering as among the major annoyances facing computer users, SiteAdvisor believes that its simple interface will go a long way toward preventing people from inadvertently disclosing their e-mail addresses to spammers or getting infected with unwanted software.

SiteAdvisor can be downloaded from the company's Web site.