Yahoo search results warn of malware

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 6 May 2008 at 11:34

Yahoo has penned a deal with McAfee to use its SiteAdvisor software to warn users about potentially dangerous websites.

The new security feature will place a red exclamation mark next to search links McAfee believes are involved with spam, phishing or the spread of malicious software.

SiteAdvisor has been available for some time as a browser plugin, but Yahoo says it has been working for almost a year to integrate the technology into its search results. As part of the integration, sites that are found to be automatically installing malicious code, or attempting to exploit browser vulnerabilities, will be completely dropped from search results.

"Yahoo users are clear that among the most important concerns for them are all these lurking threats on the internet," says Priyank Garg, director of product management for Yahoo's search division. "They know the damage they can do but they don't know how to protect themselves."

The two companies did not disclose the financial details of the deal.

Yahoo will be hoping an alliance with a high profile security vendor will help lure users from rival Google and potentially raise its share price, which has tumbled 15% since Microsoft walked away from its $42 billion bid.

Since then, Yahoo appears to have softened its stance towards a potential takeover with Yahoo chief Jerry Yang saying: "I am more than willing to listen."