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• Report: Mapping the Malweb – Which countries are safer to surf; which ones are avoidable

Here is a typical scenario. You hear about a free file-sharing program that will allow you to download copyrighted music for free, or a file that contains cheat codes for your favorite game. You search for the file, select a website that offers it, and begin downloading. What is the chance that the site you select will host some form of malware?

If the file comes from a site that ends in .KR (South Korea)-the chance that the site is risky is 2.8%. If you choose a site that ends in .RO (Romania)-the chance is 21.0%, an increase of 748.0%. One out of five Romanian-registered websites with downloadable files contains some form of potentially unwanted software.

This third annual report from McAfee contains some dramatic reversals with formerly risky domains significantly improving and others becoming "no surfing" zones. But the overall travel advisory for web travelers remains "use the web widely, but use it wisely."

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