The Faculty of Informatics and Management can identify potentially malicious websites
Author: Zuzana Dostálová
Detection software has been developed to home in on malicious software. A web browser plug-in is the key. The software monitors any potentially malicious websites that an internet user might be visiting at any time.
Dr. Daniela Ponce from the Department of Information Technologies initiated the project and student developers Ondřej Caha and Patrik Štípek co-authored it. They started working on the project during the winter term of the year 2019. The application has passed initial functionality testing and appears to be running just fine.
“The app is based around the current list of malicious websites published online by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority. It downloads and stores the database. If the user attempts to visit any of the malicious sites listed, the app redirects them to a warning page, which displays the cause for redirecting the user and explains why the site has been listed as potentially malicious,” Ondřej Caha explains.
The application is installed by way of a browser plug-in. After user testing, the app will be uploaded to Google Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge app stores. A single button click is all it takes to install the application.
“The software is intended for older and less experienced users who frequently become victim to malicious websites. Regrettably, current circumstances pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in development being halted just before the user testing stage, which is the last milestone we need to pass before we launch the application,” Dr. Ponce comments on the current state of development.
