8th May 2008 10:00 am

With almost eight billion risky sites served in search results every month across major search engines, using McAfee Secure Search consumers will now be able to avoid malicious sites that take advantage of security holes in the browser (”browser exploits”); downloads that contain spyware, viruses, or adware; phishing sites that attempt to trick users into giving critical personal and financial information; sites that display aggressive pop-up windows or change the browser’s default settings without consent and Web sites that send high-volumes of e-mail.

“The McAfee Secure Search Service and McAfee Secure for Web Sites are important extensions to our Web security offerings that build upon our highly successful SiteAdvisor(R) safe search product that has already had more than 134 million downloads.

It furthers McAfee’s leadership position of providing true multi-platform security for our customers, protecting
their PCs, mobile devices and Web experiences,” said Todd Gebhart, senior vice president and general manager of McAfee’s consumer, Web, small and mobile business.

“With four out of five Web site visits starting with search, the McAfee Secure Search Service will direct McAfee customers to the secure Internet and the new McAfee Secure for Web Sites will give e-businesses a tremendous opportunity to build trust, boost traffic and ultimately increase online sales.”

The McAfee Secure Search Service will be available via the McAfee SiteAdvisor toolbar and released to existing and new SiteAdvisor users free of charge later this quarter. Within search results, consumers will see McAfee SiteAdvisor’s green, yellow and red ratings that clearly indicate whether a site is safe, if the consumer needs to exercise caution, or if
it’s risky.

They will also see McAfee Secure sites-those that have passed stringent tests that help to ensure they are safe from external hackers. Consumers can customize the McAfee Secure Search Service by completely filtering out risky “red” sites and they can make the McAfee Secure Search Service their browser’s default search engine.

Complementing the McAfee Secure Search Service, McAfee is launching McAfee Secure for Web Sites — the most comprehensive security scanning and trust mark in the industry to date. Designed to build trust for proven, secure Web sites, McAfee Secure for Web Sites will ensure that safe Web sites can distinguish themselves from sites that are unsecure, or have not
been tested. The three-pronged service combines PCI compliance, rigorous testing and daily scanning, and the McAfee Secure trust mark.

Research from a Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) survey in 2006 shows that 70 percent of terminated online purchases are due to lack of transaction trust, costing e-commerce retailers $1.9 billion in lost revenues. Experts agree that the key to increasing traffic and business is to restore consumers’ online confidence and build trust. With McAfee Secure, online
sites will have a recognized trust mark to signify the highest level of testing and security.

The new service will test Web sites daily for vulnerabilities, dangerous content and links that expose consumers’ computer and personal information to malicious use. Certified Web sites will be able to display a new McAfee Secure(TM) trust mark, as part of the service, to identify their security to Internet users. Additionally, McAfee Secure Web sites will also
be identified in McAfee SiteAdvisor ratings to help millions of consumers choose secure sites in search results from all major search providers.

“The rise of malicious sites has caused Internet users to be wary of searching and shopping online — especially when those activities require personal information,” said Tim Dowling, vice president of the McAfee Web Security Group.

“Because bad sites strive to look harmless to users it is very difficult to identify the search results that are safe to visit, and sites that are safe today may turn into a bad site tomorrow. With McAfee Secure Search and the McAfee Secure(TM) trust mark, we are helping consumers take the guesswork out of searching and shopping safely online.”

Would you like to know more about Digital Marketing? If so, contact Hit Search, SEMPO accredited SEO and PPC specialists, on 0845 643 9289. Remember, its a big world out there, make sure you become visible.

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