Tip for Non-Techies: How to Check Whether a Site is Down and Whether a Site is Safe

[Digilodger]

These are several useful, simple, and FREE tools for the non-techies among us if we ever need to check whether TeenHelp is down (for everyone or just ourselves) or if we ever need to check whether a site is safe.

Or maybe you just want to find some new malware-free porn sites for yourself.


Note: Information provided here are accurate as of the time I type this post, February 8, 2012. I don't know how things would change in the future (e.g. some free services might either become paid-services or shut down).


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How to Check Whether a Site or Web Service is Down for Everyone or Just You:

Go to http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/ or http://www.isup.me/ and type in the domain name of the site. It should be self-explanatory once you're there.


Of course, that one is my favorite. Other similar services includes:
http://www.upordown.net/
http://www.checksite.us/
http://doj.me/
http://host-tracker.com/
http://www.netirk.com/
http://just-ping.com/
http://www.watchmouse.com/en/checkit.php


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How to Check Whether a Site or Web Service is Safe:


#1: Common Sense

Self-explanatory here, right? We've got a brain; so we should use it. Also, keep in mind that if something is too good to be true, then it's probably is (e.g. you suddenly win an iPad while doing nothing).

But sometimes our brains aren't enough. In that case, we flip out our tools! (All right, boys, get your mind out of the gutter, NOT that kind of tool.)

#2: Antivirus Software

A good antivirus program should warn you of the danger and quarantine the malware the moment it is downloaded to your system. Keep in mind, however, that nothing is perfect; so is your antivirus program. It is not bullet-proof.

If you current don't have an antivirus software for whatever reason, then you can take advantage of a free one, such as Microsoft Security Essential, Avast, Panda Cloud Antivirus, AVG, or Avira. Personally, I recommend Microsoft Security Essential because it is light on resources, simple and non-intrusive, and according to tests conducted by AV-Comparatives (an independent Austrian Non-Profit-Organization, specializes in testing antivirus software), MSE has very good detection rate and few false positive.

#3: Sucuri Site Check --- http://sitecheck.sucuri.net/scanner/

This tool is simple and FREE, useful for any site, even your own website or blog if you have one. It checks if a certain website contains or is infected with malware, malicious javascript, malicious iframes, drive-by downloads, anomalies, IE-only attacks, suspicious redirects and spam.

Click on SPOILER to view screenshot.

Spoiler:

Note: It says "Outdated" because currently (as of February 5, 2012), TeenHelp.org is powered by vBulletin version 3.8.1. The current version of vBulletin at this time is 4.1.7.

Sucuri also check whether the site is blacklisted by other site-checker services such as Google Safe Browsing, Norton Web Safe, Phish Tank, etc. for us to check against the result. Very convenient!

Click on SPOILER to view screenshot.

Spoiler:

#4: WOT (Web of Trust) --- http://www.mywot.com/

WOT relies on users' feedback to determine a site's reputation. It is fairly accurate overall. However, this (as with most things) is no where near perfect; manipulating a site's reputation is possible, especially with less popular site.

Click on SPOILER to view screenshot.

Spoiler:

WOT also offers add-ons/extension for your favorite web browser, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera. I didn't conduct any formal test, but WOT add-on/extension did not slowing down my browsing experience like McAFee's SiteAdvisor and AVG's LinkScanner.

#5: Google Safe Browsing Tool --- google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=DomainNameHere

Enter this address into your web browser's address bar to see whether Google detect any malware from the site.

For example, if I would like to check TeenHelp.org, then I would type into my address bar: google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=teenhelp.org

#6: Norton Safe Web, Online Link Scan, McAfee SiteAdvisor

Pretty much self-explanatory on these sites. What is there to say?

On the McAfee SiteAdvisor page, IGNORE the huge download button; instead, look at the right column, where it says, "View a Site Report." That's where you want to enter the site you want to check.

I don't recommend installing SiteAdvisor software because it slowed down my browsing experience by 5 to 10 seconds when I tried it. Not worth it, in my opinion, but each to his or her own, I guess.

#7: PhishTank --- http://www.phishtank.com/

PhishTank is a unique case. It is more of a database of phishing site than a malware scanner. For more information in "phishing," you can check here. Basically, phishing is a fraudulent attempt, aiming to steal your personal information and financial information (most likely to steal your money).

If you are confident about your phishing-detection ability and familiar with computer enough to deal with malware on your own (because sometimes these site might contain malware), then I would definitely recommend you to join PhishTank and help verifying phishing site.

#8: HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)

When visiting sites like Paypal.com or your bank's site, you may have noticed the HTTPS (notice the "s" in HTTPS, e.g. httpS://paypal.com) in the URL instead of the normal HTTP (e.g. http://teenhelp.org).

Click on SPOILER to view screenshot.

Spoiler:

When you see HTTPS, that means your information is encrypted as it travel through the internet.

When a connection is not encrypted, it can be intercepted. For example, if you do not enable HTTPS connection on your Facebook account (more info here), then if we were in the same network, I could use a technique call "sidejacking" to steal your session cookie. Thus, hijack your Facebook account.

Always, always, always use HTTPS when possible; actually, go enable that HTTPS for your Facebook account NOW! Also, if a money transaction is taking place and/or if your bank account information is questioned, always make sure that you see HTTPS in the current page's URL. If not, do NOT give out your financial information.

Of course, nothing is perfect; HTTPS doesn't provide 100% protection. For example, a good hacker can defeat both of our bank's HTTPS and two-factor authentication systems using methods like Man in the Browser.

#9: OpenDNS --- Awesome alternative for our ISP's DNS servers, but this is "tip for non-technies." I fear that 85% of those who read this doesn't even know what DNS is. So I probably shouldn't recommend this at all.


#10: Be Lucky --- If you're lucky enough, even bullets won't hit you. What can I say?


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That's all for now. Good luck! If you see any error or have any suggestion, please do tell me ASAP. Thanks in advanced!

[Amberpamber]

Thanks for sharing this, i've heard of many of these sites and use them myself.

[bitesize]

I am the non-techiest of non-techies so this is helpful, thanks!! Upordown.com was quite useful with the lack of TH there a few days back!!

[JoshS]

This is a very good one, but the majority of determining of wether a site is safe or not is just major common sense more then anything in my opinion. Of course, not everyone is that way and their is nothing wrong with that, that is why we need guides like this and I am very impressed with this guide. Though you are probably right about not many people knowing what DNS means :P. haha xD. good guide overall though .

[Loving Linux Penguin]

I'm quite techy, and I didn't know of any of these. Thanks!

Care to explain, either in this thread or in PM, what OpenDNS offers over regular DNS servers? I've never understood that...