All Those “Seals of Approval” on Websites Don’t Really Mean Anything

You’ll see badges like “Norton Secured,” “Microsoft Certified Partner,” and “BBB Accredited Business” all over the web — especially when downloading software. You shouldn’t blindly trust a website that displays such badges — they’re just images anyone can copy and paste.

Advice like, “If you see a McAfee SECURE seal on a website, you know it’s safe,” is wrong-headed and potentially dangerous. It’s convenient for the companies selling these certifications, but it’s bad advice that could get people in trouble.