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Is dataverse.nl a Scam? Security Check Results - Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) Reviews

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Is dataverse.nl Safe? Security Analysis for Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS)

Check if dataverse.nl is a scam or legitimate. Free security scan and reviews.

EducationNetherlandsmedium
Jakarta FacesPrimeFacesjQueryBootstrap 3.4.1Select2+1 more
Analyzed 9/7/2025Completed 4:49:25 AM
68
Security Score
MEDIUM RISK

AI Summary

DataverseNL is a well-established Dutch research data repository platform managed by Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) and supported by multiple academic institutions. It provides researchers with tools to store, share, and publish research data in compliance with FAIR principles, offering persistent identifiers and long-term preservation. The platform leverages institutional authentication via SURFconext and supports institutional dataverses aligned with research data management policies. Technically, the website is built on Jakarta Faces with PrimeFaces, jQuery, and Bootstrap, hosted on Dutch infrastructure with DNSSEC enabled. The platform shows moderate performance and good mobile optimization, though some accessibility and SEO improvements are possible. Analytics are implemented via internal DANS statistics and a Freshworks widget for support. Security posture is solid with HTTPS and DNSSEC, but session management via URL parameters and lack of advanced security headers like CSP are areas for improvement. Privacy compliance is strong with a comprehensive privacy policy and GDPR adherence, though no cookie consent mechanism was detected. The business credibility is high, supported by institutional backing, CoreTrustSeal certification, and clear contact mechanisms. Overall, DataverseNL presents a trustworthy, professional service with minor technical and security enhancements recommended to further strengthen its posture and user trust.

Detected Technologies

Jakarta FacesPrimeFacesjQueryBootstrap 3.4.1Select2Freshworks Widget

🧠AI Business Intelligence

Technology stack, business insights, and market analysis powered by AI.

Business Intelligence

Market & Strategic Analysis

DataverseNL occupies a strong position in the Dutch academic research data management ecosystem, serving as a shared service platform for multiple institutions. Its competitive advantage lies in institutional partnerships, integration with SURFconext for authentication, and compliance with FAIR data principles. The business model is non-profit and service-oriented, focusing on long-term preservation and accessibility of research data. Revenue streams likely come from institutional contributions and government funding. The platform targets researchers and academic institutions, with growth potential tied to increasing data management requirements and open science mandates. Partnerships with DANS, KNAW, and NWO reinforce its strategic position and credibility.

Security Posture Analysis

Comprehensive Security Assessment

The security maturity of DataverseNL is moderate to good. HTTPS and DNSSEC provide foundational protections, and the platform includes CAPTCHA-like validation on contact forms to prevent abuse. However, session IDs in URLs present a potential session fixation risk, and the absence of modern security headers such as Content Security Policy reduces defense-in-depth. There is no publicly visible vulnerability disclosure or incident response policy, which could hinder rapid response to security events. Privacy policies are comprehensive and GDPR compliant, indicating a strong data protection culture. Overall, the platform is secure for its purpose but would benefit from enhanced session management, security headers, and formalized incident response documentation.

Strategic Recommendations

Priority Actions for Security Improvement

1

Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) and other security headers (X-Frame-Options, X-XSS-Protection) to enhance browser security.

Observations

AI-powered comprehensive website and business analysis.

AI-Enhanced Website Analysis

Business Insights

Company:

Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS)

Description:

DataverseNL is an online platform for storage, sharing, and publishing of research data, provided as a shared service by participating institutes and DANS. It facilitates FAIR data principles and supports institutional dataverses with persistent identifiers and long-term preservation.

Key Services:
Research data storageData sharing and publishingPersistent identifiers (DOI)Institutional dataverse hostingLong-term data preservation
Content Quality:

good

Branding:

consistent

Technical Stack

Technologies:
Jakarta FacesPrimeFacesjQueryBootstrap 3.4.1Select2Freshworks Widget
Frameworks:
Jakarta EE (Faces)PrimeFaces
Platforms:
Web (browser-based)
Performance:

moderate

Mobile:

good

Accessibility:

basic

SEO:

basic

Security Assessment

Security Score:
75/100
Best Practices:
  • HTTPS enforced (implied by domain and scripts)
  • DNSSEC enabled
  • Use of session IDs in URLs (jsessionid) - potential risk
  • No exposed sensitive data detected
  • Contact form includes CAPTCHA-like human validation

Analytics & Tracking

Services:
DANS internal stats (danstats.js)
Tracking Level:moderate
Privacy Compliance:good

Advertising & Marketing

Tracking Pixels:
Freshworks Widget
Marketing Tools:
Freshworks Widget
Transparency Level:basic

Website Quality Assessment

Design Quality:good
User Experience:good
Content Relevance:good
Navigation Clarity:good
Professionalism:good
Trustworthiness:high

Key Observations

1

Website is a professionally maintained research data repository platform.

🛡️Security Headers

HTTP security headers analysis and recommendations.

Security Headers

HTTP security headers analysis

80/100
Score

Missing X-Frame-Options header

HIGH

Prevents clickjacking attacks

Weak Referrer-Policy configuration

LOW

Current value: "same-origin"

👤GDPR Compliance

Privacy and data protection assessment under GDPR regulations.

GDPR Compliance

Privacy and data protection assessment

28/100
Score

No Cookie Policy found

HIGH

GDPR requires clear information about cookie usage

No Cookie Consent Banner found

HIGH

GDPR requires explicit consent for non-essential cookies

No Data Protection Officer mentioned

LOW

Large organizations may need to designate a DPO under GDPR

Privacy policy may not be GDPR compliant

MEDIUM

Privacy policy lacks explicit GDPR compliance elements

EU business without adequate privacy measures

CRITICAL

EU businesses are subject to strict GDPR requirements

GDPR Compliance Analysis

Privacy Policy85% confidence
Cookie Policy0% confidence
Contact Information Found90% confidence
emailphoneform

🛡️NIS2 Compliance

Network & Information Security Directive compliance assessment.

NIS2 Compliance

Network & Information Security Directive

25/100
Score

No information security framework found

HIGH

NIS2 requires documented cybersecurity and information security measures

No vulnerability disclosure policy

MEDIUM

NIS2 encourages coordinated vulnerability disclosure

No security policy documentation found

HIGH

NIS2 requires documented cybersecurity governance and risk management

No incident response procedures found

HIGH

NIS2 requires documented incident response and business continuity plans

No security contact information

HIGH

NIS2 requires clear incident reporting channels

No vulnerability reporting mechanism

MEDIUM

Clear vulnerability reporting supports coordinated disclosure

No NIS2 reference found

LOW

Consider explicitly mentioning NIS2 compliance efforts

📧Email Security

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation and email security assessment.

Email Security

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation

85/100
Score

No BIMI Record

LOW

BIMI displays brand logos in email clients

No MTA-STS Policy

MEDIUM

MTA-STS enforces TLS for email delivery

No TLS-RPT Record

LOW

TLS-RPT provides reporting for email TLS issues

SPF
Sender Policy Framework
DKIM
DomainKeys Identified Mail
DMARC
Domain-based Message Authentication
MX Records
Mail Exchange Records
BIMI
Brand Indicators
MTA-STS
Mail Transfer Agent Security
TLS-RPT
TLS Reporting
DNSSEC
DNS Security
SPF Details
Record:
v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.knaw.nl include:email.freshdesk.com -all
DNS Lookups:3/10
Policy:-all
DKIM Selectors Found
Selector:selector1(1416-bit rsa)
DMARC Details
Policy:quarantine
Aggregate Reports:dmarc@dataverse.nl
Forensic Reports:dmarc@dataverse.nl

🏆SSL/TLS Security

Certificate validity and encryption analysis.

SSL/TLS Security

Certificate validity and encryption analysis

67/100
Score

Weak Protocols Supported

HIGH

Server supports weak protocols: TLSv1.1

OCSP Stapling Not Enabled

LOW

OCSP stapling improves performance and privacy

Certificate Transparency Not Implemented

LOW

Certificate is not logged in Certificate Transparency logs

Mixed Content Detected

MEDIUM

1 resources loaded over insecure HTTP

Partial SSL/TLS Assessment

LOW

Completed 3 of 4 security checks due to time constraints

Protocol Support

TLSv1.3TLSv1.2TLSv1.1

OCSP Status

OCSP Stapling Disabled

📊DNS Health

DNS configuration and security assessment.

DNS Health

DNS configuration and security assessment

75/100
Score

DNSSEC Not Enabled

MEDIUM

DNSSEC is not configured for this domain

Domain Transfer Lock Not Enabled

MEDIUM

Domain can be transferred without authorization

Domain Delete Lock Not Enabled

LOW

Domain can be deleted without additional verification

Domain Registration Details

Domain Age
12 years(mature)
Protection Level
noneDNSSEC ON
Suspicious Indicators Detected
  • No domain protection locks enabled

DNS Records

A Records:194.171.144.89
Name Servers:
ns1.surfnet.nlDNS only
ns1.zurich.surf.netDNS only
ns2.surfnet.nlDNS only
ns3.surfnet.nlDNS only
MX Records:
0: dataverse-nl.mail.protection.outlook.com
SOA:Serial: 2025022998, TTL: 86400s

DNSSEC Status

DNSSEC Not Enabled

DNS Performance

Resolution Time:136ms

SPF Analysis

SPF Record:
v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.knaw.nl include:email.freshdesk.com -all

Network Security

Port scanning and network exposure analysis.

Network Security

Port scanning and network exposure analysis

100/100
Score

Good Network Security Posture

LOW

No unnecessary services detected on common risky ports

🔧Technical Analysis

Detailed technical findings and analysis from AI assessment.

Technical Analysis

Comprehensive security assessment findings

Additional Findings

The website uses a mature Java EE stack with Jakarta Faces and PrimeFaces, combined with jQuery and Bootstrap for UI components. Hosting is managed by DANS with DNSSEC enabled, indicating a secure DNS setup. Performance is moderate with room for optimization, especially in modernizing frontend assets and improving mobile responsiveness. The use of session IDs in URLs is a technical debt and security risk. Analytics and support widgets are integrated but limited to internal and Freshworks services. Overall, the technical infrastructure is stable and appropriate for the service scope but could benefit from modernization and enhanced security practices.
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