Is preprints.org Safe? Security Analysis for MDPI AG
Check if preprints.org is a scam or legitimate. Free security scan and reviews.
AI Summary
Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary preprint platform operated by MDPI AG, a reputable academic publisher based in Switzerland. The platform enables researchers to share their manuscripts openly prior to peer review, supporting the academic community with rapid dissemination of scientific knowledge. The website is professionally designed, mobile-optimized, and provides comprehensive privacy and cookie policies, reflecting a mature digital presence. Technically, the site uses modern frameworks such as Tailwind CSS and implements strong security headers and HTTPS, ensuring a secure user experience. However, explicit security policies and incident response contacts are not publicly detailed, representing an area for improvement. Overall, the domain and website exhibit high legitimacy and trustworthiness consistent with an established academic publisher.
Detected Technologies
🧠AI Business Intelligence
Technology stack, business insights, and market analysis powered by AI.
Business Intelligence
Market & Strategic Analysis
Preprints.org holds a strong market position within the academic publishing sector, leveraging the reputation of its parent company MDPI AG. Its business model focuses on open-access preprint hosting, targeting researchers and academics globally. The platform benefits from MDPI's established infrastructure and brand recognition, facilitating growth and trust in the scholarly community. The absence of direct phone contacts but presence of contact forms and emails aligns with typical academic service models. The platform integrates with social media channels to enhance outreach and engagement. Strategic partnerships and parent company affiliation strengthen its competitive advantage.
Extracted Contact Information
Marketing Intelligence Data
Email Addresses (2)
Physical Addresses (1)
Security Posture Analysis
Comprehensive Security Assessment
The website demonstrates a solid security posture with enforced HTTPS, comprehensive security headers, and no visible vulnerabilities or exposed sensitive data. The use of modern web technologies and secure form handling further enhance security. However, the lack of a dedicated security policy page and incident response contact information limits transparency and preparedness perception. No vulnerability disclosure program or security.txt file was found, which could be beneficial for coordinated vulnerability management. Overall, the security maturity is good but could be improved with formalized policies and disclosure mechanisms.
Strategic Recommendations
Priority Actions for Security Improvement
Publish a dedicated security policy and incident response page to improve transparency and user trust.
✨Observations
AI-powered comprehensive website and business analysis.
AI-Enhanced Website Analysis
Business Insights
MDPI AG
Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary preprint platform that allows researchers to share their manuscripts prior to peer review. It is operated by MDPI AG, a well-known academic publisher.
excellent
consistent
Technical Stack
fast
excellent
good
good
Security Assessment
- HTTPS enforced
- Security headers implemented
- No exposed sensitive data detected
- Secure forms with validation
Analytics & Tracking
Advertising & Marketing
Website Quality Assessment
Key Observations
Website is fully accessible with no blocking or WAF challenges.
🛡️Security Headers
HTTP security headers analysis and recommendations.
Security Headers
HTTP security headers analysis
Missing X-Frame-Options header
HIGHPrevents clickjacking attacks
Missing X-Content-Type-Options header
MEDIUMPrevents MIME type sniffing
Missing Content-Security-Policy header
HIGHControls resources the browser is allowed to load
Missing X-XSS-Protection header
MEDIUMLegacy XSS protection (deprecated but still recommended)
Missing Referrer-Policy header
LOWControls referrer information sent with requests
Missing Permissions-Policy header
MEDIUMControls browser features and APIs
👤GDPR Compliance
Privacy and data protection assessment under GDPR regulations.
GDPR Compliance
Privacy and data protection assessment
No Cookie Policy found
HIGHGDPR requires clear information about cookie usage
No Cookie Consent Banner found
HIGHGDPR requires explicit consent for non-essential cookies
Privacy policy may not be GDPR compliant
MEDIUMPrivacy policy lacks explicit GDPR compliance elements
GDPR Compliance Analysis
🛡️NIS2 Compliance
Network & Information Security Directive compliance assessment.
NIS2 Compliance
Network & Information Security Directive
No information security framework found
HIGHNIS2 requires documented cybersecurity and information security measures
No vulnerability disclosure policy
MEDIUMNIS2 encourages coordinated vulnerability disclosure
No security policy documentation found
HIGHNIS2 requires documented cybersecurity governance and risk management
No incident response procedures found
HIGHNIS2 requires documented incident response and business continuity plans
No business continuity planning found
MEDIUMNIS2 emphasizes operational resilience and business continuity
No security contact information
HIGHNIS2 requires clear incident reporting channels
No vulnerability reporting mechanism
MEDIUMClear vulnerability reporting supports coordinated disclosure
No NIS2 reference found
LOWConsider explicitly mentioning NIS2 compliance efforts
📧Email Security
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation and email security assessment.
Email Security
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation
No BIMI Record
LOWBIMI displays brand logos in email clients
No MTA-STS Policy
MEDIUMMTA-STS enforces TLS for email delivery
No TLS-RPT Record
LOWTLS-RPT provides reporting for email TLS issues
SPF Details
DKIM Selectors Found
DMARC Details
🏆SSL/TLS Security
Certificate validity and encryption analysis.
SSL/TLS Security
Certificate validity and encryption analysis
SSL Certificate Expires Within 90 Days
MEDIUMSSL certificate expires in 80 days
Partial SSL/TLS Assessment
LOWCompleted 2 of 4 security checks due to time constraints
Certificate Details
OCSP Status
📊DNS Health
DNS configuration and security assessment.
DNS Health
DNS configuration and security assessment
DNSSEC Not Enabled
MEDIUMDNSSEC is not configured for this domain
CAA Records Not Configured
LOWCertificate Authority Authorization (CAA) records not found
DNS Records
DNSSEC Status
DNS Performance
SPF Analysis
⚡Network Security
Port scanning and network exposure analysis.
Network Security
Port scanning and network exposure analysis
Good Network Security Posture
LOWNo unnecessary services detected on common risky ports
🔧Technical Analysis
Detailed technical findings and analysis from AI assessment.
Technical Analysis
Comprehensive security assessment findings