Seeking the spammy sites: Site Advisor

[Steve]

A website and service started by MIT called Site Advisor has been running for some time now. They search the web for dodgy, spyware, adware and spammy downloads or sites that perhaps aren't that safe to visit. Their toolbar can then advise users whether it's a good idea to visit the site or not. This means they've not got a pretty good list of shifty sites, and they've posted a blog entry listing the best, or worst, depending on how you look at it.

I blogged about how we conduct our download tests a few weeks ago when we opened SiteAdvisor for preview. Since then, a lot of people have asked me to clarify what our “nuisance score” means. I usually explain that it represents a synthesis of all the data we collect about a particular download. For example, a download which resets my default home page is annoying, but not fatal. Low score. A download which calls on well known ad-servers or installs multiple contextual ad programs gives me great angst. High score. Do a bunch of bad things and the score goes up. (The question was asked often enough that I put a description in our FAQ.)

But I think another more useful way to help explain the score is to look at some examples. In fact, today, I am inaugurating what will become a regular blog feature – a look at five downloads which really tip our nuisance meter.

[Site Advisor blog]

Found via: Slashdot.

[alsenior]

already installed ff extenstion
hexus is okay

[Indo]

1st. Pornosaur. I clicked on a clip to download and imediatly it installed aweful spyware. My internet homepage was changed from: Google to: About Blank, I was constantly getting pop ups and the net would crash alot. I tried to change my home page back to google but everytime i restart pc it went back to about blank. I was unable to remove it and had to reinstall windows and loose everything.
Multiplayercheats.de. This site has gang of spyware.
Uproar.com
ClipHunter.com