Search Service Warns Of Risky Google, MSN SitesSearch Service Warns Of Risky Google, MSN Sites

Security vendor ScanSafe on Tuesday launched a beta search service that analyzes links listed by Google and MSN for spyware, adware, malicious code, and other offensive or illegal content.

Dubbed "Scandoo," the service lets users search using either Google's or MSN's engine, but as the results are displayed, Scandoo posts color-coded icons -- green, yellow, and a red-and-black bug -- to note safe, questionable, and hazardous sites before they're clicked.

"It's a bit like providing traffic lights to guide you safely through your search," said Eldar Tuvey, ScanSafe's founder, in a statement. "Most search results look benign, but the fact is you’re 'rolling the dice.'"

Scandoo is similar to McAfee's SiteAdvisor, which also labels search engine links with colored markers. SiteAdvisor, however, relies on browser plug-ins, which are available only for Internet Explorer and Firefox. Scandoo can be accessed by any browser.

The service's site rankings are derived from ScanSafe's data; the San Mateo, Calif. company scans over 3 billion Web requests a month for its corporate customers.

Scandoo, which plans to add Yahoo and Ask.com to its search engine roster, can be reached here.