Webuser Forums: Body to enforce global clean-up of defunct / infected websites?

If this has been mentioned before then accept my apologies!

Recently, I made the mistake of using IE7 to search for free wav files for use within a game on my forum board (for members to guess), only to get my F-Secure pop-up informing me of a virus on a website I've not been to before, which fortunately was zapped. The reason I said "mistake" is because the majority of the time I use Firefox. And this isn't the first time it's happened...

Anyway, this got me thinking. I know this is probably one heck of a global problem and at least, an impossibility to completely filter out, that's why it is important for everyone to keep their PC security up-to-date, but there are times when surfers need to look for something which takes them away from there own favorites / bookmarks, trusted sites, etc, and end up viewing a website that is either

a) been hacked and contains viruses,

b) get directed to a host because the domain no longer exists (this one is really annoying especially when clicking on a "recommended" site link from another website!),

c) no longer maintained by the owner and is out-of-date.

Actually, I'd go as far to say that a) and c) would be linked.

So, in this high tech and security conscious world of today, surely some measures now need to be put in place or at least a "tool" to prevent unsuspecting innocent surfers stumbling across an infected website? What do other members think? What would you propose to deal with this? And more importantly, would this be a worthy feature for Web User?

Look forward to reading your responses!

Edited by Quahappy (Mon Nov 26 2007 09:52 PM)