Google starts scanning for PC malware in search results
updated 09:45 pm EDT, Tue July 19, 2011
Google looks for malware trafic in searches
Google on Wednesday night unveiled a trick it hopes will catch malware for many casual Windows users. Its usual search page will now look for strains of network traffic that are generated by hostile code using proxies. The notices will give users a link to show how to load antivirus apps and clean their systems.
The decision to add the code came after security teams noticed odd traffic during a regular check-up on servers. They didn't say what strains of malware were being monitored, though anything that doesn't depend on a proxy or which does its damage only offline won't be caught.
Adding the detection could be a controversial step. Many Windows users are increasingly trained to ignore web-bsaed malware warnings as these are often generated either through fake antivirus app ads that in many cases are tricking users into installing the very rogue software they were hoping to avoid. Google is likely counting on the warnings being embedded in the page and limited to its own site as proof the red flags are legitimate.
