How BrowseSafe Works

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:

1. Domain Analysis: We examine the website's domain registration information, age, and ownership details
2. Technical Security Assessment: We analyze the site's security implementations, including SSL certificates and security headers
3. Reputation Checks: We cross-reference the domain and IP address against multiple blacklist databases
4. Content Analysis: We scan for suspicious content patterns and malicious code
5. 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.