Understanding filter results

When you run an internet query such as a Google search, Web Threat Shield displays icons and messages that give you safety information about each website returned as a result of the search.

This topic contains three types of scenarios:

Running an internet search

When you run an internet search, you get a list of potential websites that match your search.

Before each website listed in your returned search results is an icon, which indicates the safety level of each website. The following table describes those icons and their meaning.

ICON DESCRIPTION
Green circle with a checkmark, indicating that the website is trustworthy

Trustworthy. This website is safe to visit.

Yellow circle with an exclamation mark, indicating that you should proceed with caution

Caution. This website may contain content that could affect your online security.

Red circle with an exclamation mark, indicating that the website is malicious

Malicious. This website contains malware or other security risks.

When you hover over each icon, a message displays with additional information. The following table describes those messages.

MESSAGE DESCRIPTION
Green message indicating that the website is trustworthy

Trustworthy. This website is safe to visit.

These are known websites with strong security practices, and rarely exhibit characteristics that expose you to security risks. There is a very low probability that you will be exposed to malicious links or payloads.

Yellow message indicating that the website is suspicious

Caution. This website may contain content that could affect your online security.

These are generally benign websites, but have exhibited some characteristics that suggest security risk. There is some probability that you will be exposed to malicious links or payloads.

Red message indicating that the website might be malicious

Malicious. This website contains malware or other security risks.

These are high-risk websites. There is a high probability that you will be exposed to malicious links or payloads.

 

Visiting a website

When you visit a website, in the browser toolbar, an icon displays indicating the safety level of each website. The following table describes those icons and their meaning.

ICON DESCRIPTION
Green icon and message indicating that the website is trustworthy

Trustworthy. This website is safe to visit.

Yellow icon and message indicating that the website is suspicious Caution. This website may contain content that could affect your online security.
Red message and icon indicating that the website is malicious Malicious. This website contains malware or other security risks.

If you hover over each icon, a message displays with additional information. The following table describes those messages.

MESSAGE DESCRIPTION
Green message and icon indicating that the website is trustworthy

Trustworthy. This website is safe to visit.

These are well-known websites with strong security practices, and rarely exhibit characteristics that expose you to security risks. There is a very low probability that you will be exposed to malicious links or payloads.

Yellow message and icon indicating that the website is suspicious

Caution. This website may contain content that could affect your online security.

These are generally benign websites, but have exhibited some characteristics that suggest security risk. There is some probability that you will be exposed to malicious links or payloads.

Red message and icon indicating that the website is malicious

Malicious. This website contains malware or other security risks.

These are high-risk websites. There is a high probability that you will be exposed to malicious links or payloads.

Encountering a block page

Web Threat Shield displays a warning before loading high-risk websites. If you try to proceed to a website that Webroot determines is malicious, a block page displays.

You can do one of three things: