Is applyonline.herts.ac.uk/application Legit? 100/100 Trust Score

This website appears legitimate based on AI analysis.

Detailed Analysis Report: Is applyonline.herts.ac.uk Safe and Legit? Website Overview and Purpose The website applyonline.herts.ac.uk serves as the official application portal for the University of Hertfordshire , specifically for its online postgraduate programs. It aims to facilitate the application process for various master's and doctoral degrees, targeting prospective students interested in furthering their education in fields such as business, engineering, and creative arts. Content Quality and User Experience Key Experience Highlights Clear navigation structure with easy access to various programs and application forms. Responsive design that adapts well to different devices, enhancing user experience. Informative content detailing program offerings, application requirements, and deadlines. Accessibility features, including high contrast mode and cookie preferences for user control. Claims Verification and Red Flags ⚠️ Red Flags Detected While the website appears to be legitimate, there are some concerns regarding its overall transparency and security measures. Domain Age Unverified: The domain age could not be determined, raising questions about its establishment and reliability. Missing SPF and DMARC Records: The absence of these records may indicate a lack of email security measures, which is a concern for user data protection. Limited SSL Information: The SSL certificate is valid, but it is a Domain Validated (DV) certificate, which offers less assurance than Organization Validated (OV) or Extended Validation (EV) certificates. ⚠️ Caution Points Users should verify the authenticity of the application process and ensure they are on the official site. Be cautious of unsolicited emails claiming to be from the university, especially those requesting personal information. Security Note: The website uses a valid SSL certificate, ensuring encrypted connections for user data. Legitimacy and Reputation Assessment The website is hosted in the United States and is associated with the University of Hertfordshire, a recognized educational institution. However, the lack of verifiable domain age and missing SPF/DMARC records raises some concerns. The website has a Tranco global rank of #29,355, indicating a reasonable level of traffic and interest. Final Verdict and Recommendations Conclusion: Overall, applyonline.herts.ac.uk appears to be a legitimate application portal for the University of Hertfordshire. However, users should exercise caution due to the unverified domain age and missing email security measures. Best practices include verifying the URL before entering personal information and being cautious of phishing attempts.

• [GUARDRAIL] Subdomain inheriting trust from parent domain herts.ac.uk (score: 100/100) - applied without DNS verification (parent score 90+)
• [GUARDRAIL] Domain is ranked #29355 globally (High Traffic) - likely legitimate
• [TRANSPARENCY] Domain age verification is unavailable, which is a concern for trust.
• [SECURITY] Absence of SPF and DMARC records may expose users to phishing risks.

• [DOMAIN HISTORY] Domain age could not be determined, raising concerns about its establishment.
• [SECURITY] Missing SPF and DMARC records indicate potential vulnerabilities in email security.
• [SECURITY] The SSL certificate is a Domain Validated (DV) type, which offers less assurance than higher validation types.
• [REPUTATION] Tranco global rank of #29,355 indicates reasonable traffic and interest in the site.
• [CONTENT QUALITY] The website provides clear navigation and informative content about various programs.

• Website explicitly states 'University of Hertfordshire' in the title and content.
• Official branding and logos associated with the University of Hertfordshire are present.

• {"type":"high_traffic_boost","reason":"Domain is ranked #29355 globally (High Traffic) - likely legitimate","scoreCeiling":null,"targetStatus":"warning"}
• {"type":"subdomain_inheritance","reason":"Subdomain inheriting trust from parent domain herts.ac.uk (score: 100/100) - applied without DNS verification (parent score 90+)","scoreCeiling":null,"targetStatus":"safe"}