Google blocks cocc sites from search results

Google has blocked millions of .co.cc websites from its search results after it deemed the subdomain providers to be proliferating malware.

According to the search engine provider, its software will automatically move to block any sites that are known to be linked to malicious scripts.

It reports that one provider was found to be overseeing 50,000 malware domains

Oliver Fisher of Google's Anti-Malware Team said: "Google's automated malware scanning systems detect sites that distribute malware. To help protect users we recently modified those systems to identify bulk subdomain services which are being abused. In some severe cases our systems may now flag the whole bulk domain."

Head of webspam Matt Cutts added that although many 'freehosts' - websites which allow users to set up pages free of charge - offer high-quality services, others are "spammy" because they are being exploited by cybercriminals looking to make a cheap buck.

Mr Cutts noted that around ten million .co.cc domains have now been permanently removed from Google's search results.

Some individuals bulk buy domains in order to manipulate search engine results and spread infections, some of which can place control of a host machine into the hands of criminals on the other side of the globe.

Meanwhile, those looking to invest in IT support in London could be interested to learn that BitDefender has unleashed a new generation of removal tools that protect users against the most prevalent malware, trojans and rootkits.

Regular definition updates are free of charge and could ensure users are shielded from some of the most damaging illegal software currently circulating online.

The news comes after Kaspersky found that the TDSS TDL-4 botnet infected around 4.5 million machines in the first three months of 2011. The advanced malware is also capable of deleting around 20 of its most popular competing scripts in order to take full control of a computer.

Posted by Louise Tate

Breaking news from ihotdesk, Small Business IT Support for London