I have to confess to being in the dark over white hat SEO, let alone black hat, so I really need to do some reading on that subject. I know WHAT these guys are doing with malicious search results but I’d love to understand HOW.

My kids use the free version of AVG which flags up search results and its nothing like UAC – there are just ticks, etc next to the website links – I personally don’t find that intrusive in any way – but it sure is helpful.

Thanks for taking the time to write such comprehensive comments Gryffyn.

As for black hat SEO.. no real recommendations. People just need to know that the algorithms the search engines use to figure out what’s most relevant to your search can be exploited by the bad guys to get malware sites high on the rankings. If you’re looking for news on “balloon boy”, try the links that come up from CNN, newspaper websites, TV news websiitess.. watch out for weird looking domain names with keywords you’re searching for in the filename.

That and the standard precautions when it comes to websites. Run antivirus/antimalware (plenty of good free ones out there.. AVG, Panda, Microsoft).. if you run Firefox, consider running the NoScript addon. If you’re annoyed by Windows Vista/7 UAC, then it’ll probably annoy you too. But it’s a small price to pay for security. It’s really just the digital version of looking both ways before crossing the street. Takes a fraction of a second and keeps everyone safe.

As for your tips, I quite agree that Firefox is the browser of choice for those who are concerned about security and I use it myself.

The link checking feature of AVG is certainly useful and is possibly the main reason why 2 of my 3 kids’ computers have that particular antivirus program on them as it has helped them avoid some potentially suspect sites without doubt.

MyWot also offer a good service though I do wonder how effective it is for sites that have perhaps only received one or two reviews, be they negative or otherwise.

This also goes for everyday things may search for frequently. In the past “screensavers” and “lyrics” have lead to sites that may, indeed, provide screensavers and lyrics, but may also be serving out drive-by malware (very little effort to get infected) or sites that take advantage of some of the many flaws found recently in Flash or Adobe Reader.

Some tips:

1. Use Firefox. This goes beyond anti-Microsoft snobbery. The newer editions of Firefox actually tell you if you’re running an old version of Flash or other vulnerable plugins.

2. Use Google for search. Again, this is no anti-Microsoft propaganda… Google will warn you if you click on a link that leads to a site that has been reported as potentially hostile.
(Apparently Google Chrome uses the same anti-malware check that Google does.. more info here: http://www.ditii.com/2009/10/31/google-chromes-red-alert-message-google-anti-malware-process/ )

3. Consider using an antivirus that includes link checking (like AVG) and/or install something like WOT (Web of Trust): http://www.mywot.com/