Our 5-Step Website Analysis Process
At BrowseSafe, we use a multi-layered approach to analyze websites for potential security threats and legitimacy concerns. Our comprehensive assessment includes five key stages:
- Domain Analysis: We examine the website's domain registration information, age, and ownership details
- Technical Security Assessment: We analyze the site's security implementations, including SSL certificates and security headers
- Reputation Checks: We cross-reference the domain and IP address against multiple blacklist databases
- Content Analysis: We scan for suspicious content patterns and malicious code
- Trust Score Calculation: We combine all factors to generate a comprehensive trust score
Each of these stages involves multiple checks and verification points that provide a thorough evaluation of the website's trustworthiness and security posture.
Step 1: Domain Analysis
We start by examining the domain's basic information to assess its legitimacy:
Domain Age Verification
Newly created domains (less than 6 months old) are often associated with scams and phishing attempts. We check the domain's creation date, expiration date, and recent modifications to establish its history.
WHOIS Data Analysis
We analyze the domain's registration information, including:
- Registrant details (name, organization, location)
- Administrative and technical contacts
- Name servers and DNS configuration
- Privacy protection status
Hidden ownership information can sometimes indicate an attempt to conceal malicious intentions, although legitimate privacy-conscious sites may also use WHOIS privacy services.
Domain Configuration Assessment
We examine other technical aspects of the domain, such as:
- DNS records configuration
- MX records for email validation
- SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records
- Historical DNS changes
Proper domain configuration generally indicates a professionally managed website, while inconsistencies may suggest potential issues.
Step 2: Technical Security Assessment
After analyzing the domain information, we examine how the website implements security measures:
SSL Certificate Verification
We check if the website uses HTTPS and verify:
- SSL certificate validity and expiration date
- Certificate authority (CA) reputation
- Certificate type (DV, OV, or EV)
- Proper implementation without mixed content
- Cipher strength and protocol support
Secure websites always use valid SSL certificates from reputable certificate authorities.
Security Headers Analysis
We examine the HTTP headers to verify the implementation of security best practices:
- Content-Security-Policy (CSP)
- X-XSS-Protection
- X-Frame-Options
- X-Content-Type-Options
- Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS)
- Referrer-Policy
- Permissions-Policy
Properly configured security headers help protect websites and their users from various attacks.
Server Configuration Check
We analyze server information looking for:
- Server software and version exposure
- Known vulnerabilities in revealed components
- Suspicious redirects or forwarding
- Proper error handling
Professional websites typically minimize server information disclosure and keep their systems updated.
Step 3: Reputation Checks
We verify the website against multiple security databases and reputation services:
Blacklist Database Cross-Referencing
We check if the domain or its IP address appears on any of these blacklists:
- Google Safe Browsing
- Phishing and Malware databases
- Spam detection services
- Botnet command and control lists
- Security vendor threat intelligence feeds
Presence on any reputable blacklist is a strong indicator of potential security issues.
Malware Scanning
We analyze the website for:
- Known malicious code patterns
- Suspicious script behavior
- Drive-by download attempts
- Obfuscated JavaScript
- Hidden iframes and redirects
These checks help identify websites attempting to distribute malware or exploit browser vulnerabilities.
User Reports and Reviews
We incorporate data from:
- Community-reported scam databases
- User reviews and feedback
- Historical scan results
- Trust indicators from partnering services
Collective intelligence helps identify emerging threats that automated systems might miss.
Step 4: Content Analysis
We evaluate the website's content for signs of suspicious or fraudulent activity:
Suspicious Content Patterns
We scan for:
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Unrealistic claims or offers
- Poor grammar and spelling (common in scam sites)
- Imitation of well-known brands
- Excessive pop-ups and advertisements
- Clickbait content designed to mislead
These content patterns are often associated with fraudulent websites.
Payment System Security
For e-commerce sites, we check:
- Secure checkout processes
- PCI DSS compliance indicators
- Payment processor legitimacy
- Unusual payment methods (e.g., wire transfers only, cryptocurrency only)
Legitimate online stores implement proper security measures for payment processing.
Privacy Policy and Terms Assessment
We verify:
- Presence of privacy policy and terms of service
- Disclosure of data collection practices
- Contact information and business details
- Return/refund policies for e-commerce sites
Legitimate websites typically have comprehensive and transparent policies.
Step 5: Trust Score Calculation
After collecting all this data, our algorithm calculates a comprehensive trust score from 0 to 100:
Weighted Factor Analysis
Different factors are weighted based on their importance to security:
- Critical security issues (e.g., malware, phishing evidence) carry heavy negative weight
- Domain age and history provide baseline trust indicators
- Technical security implementations contribute positively
- Content and policy factors provide context and confirmation
Trust Score Categories
The final score falls into one of three categories:
- 80-100: Safe - The website appears legitimate and implements proper security measures
- 50-79: Potentially Suspicious - Some security concerns were detected; proceed with caution
- 0-49: Potentially Harmful - Multiple red flags detected; avoid sharing personal information
Detailed Analysis Report
Beyond the score, we provide:
- Detailed explanation of each factor's contribution
- Specific security concerns identified
- Recommendations for safe interaction (if applicable)
- Historical score trends (for previously scanned sites)
This comprehensive report helps you make informed decisions about websites you visit.
Limitations and Best Practices
While our scanning technology is highly effective, it's important to understand:
- No security scanner can guarantee 100% detection of all threats
- New scam techniques emerge regularly
- Some legitimate websites may have poor security practices
- Recently compromised legitimate sites may not yet be detected
We recommend combining our scanner with these best practices:
- Be cautious with websites requesting sensitive information
- Verify unfamiliar websites through multiple sources
- Keep your browser and security software updated
- Use unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication
- Monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity
BrowseSafe is designed to be part of your comprehensive approach to online security, providing valuable insights while encouraging safe browsing habits.