Can using a SE to navigate to a site avoid hacked sites, malware, etc?
Seems like the answer is yes ... at least sometimes.
Over the years the folks who type a domain name into the search box instead of the address bar have been the focus of more than a little ridicule.
Maybe it's not always warranted. At least if they actually LOOK at the listing that pops up BEFORE they clock on it.
Why do I say this? Because a few months ago while searching for a phone number that I already knew was not on a specific site, or was impossible to find there the site popped up in the serps with the infamous "This Site May Harm Your Computer" warning right below the title.
Normally I'd would have simply used a bookmark to get to that site, so I'd never have seen the warning. And if my browser or software didn't warn me, BANG! I might have been in trouble.
Got me to wonder if I should be more careful about using bookmarks for direct navigation.
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