Is viaf.org Safe? Security Analysis for OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
Check if viaf.org is a scam or legitimate. Free security scan and reviews.
AI Summary
The VIAF website is operated by OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc., a reputable organization specializing in library cooperative services. VIAF aggregates multiple name authority files into a single, OCLC-hosted service, providing valuable bibliographic and authority data to libraries and researchers worldwide. The website serves a specialized audience in the education and library sectors, offering search and data linking services for authority records. Technically, the site is built using modern web technologies including React and Next.js, hosted with Cloudflare DNS, and demonstrates good performance and mobile optimization. Security posture is strong with HTTPS enforced, security headers present, and domain registration consistent with the organization's identity. Privacy compliance is evident through a comprehensive privacy policy and cookie consent mechanism. However, explicit contact information, terms of service, and vulnerability disclosure mechanisms are not prominently available. Overall, the site is professional, trustworthy, and well-maintained, supporting its role as a key resource in the library information ecosystem.
Detected Technologies
🧠AI Business Intelligence
Technology stack, business insights, and market analysis powered by AI.
Business Intelligence
Market & Strategic Analysis
VIAF holds a strong market position as a global authority file aggregator hosted by OCLC, serving libraries and bibliographic professionals. Its business model is non-profit and service-oriented, focusing on data aggregation and accessibility. The website reflects a mature digital presence with a clear target audience and well-defined services. Partnerships with numerous national libraries and institutions are evident from the contributors list. The absence of direct contact details suggests a focus on institutional users rather than direct consumer engagement. The site’s longevity and domain age support its credibility and stability in the market.
Security Posture Analysis
Comprehensive Security Assessment
The website exhibits a mature security posture with HTTPS enforced and multiple security headers implemented. The domain status clientTransferProhibited adds protection against unauthorized transfers. No DNSSEC is enabled, which is a minor gap. The presence of cookie consent mechanisms aligns with privacy regulations. No explicit security policy or incident response information is found, which could be improved. No vulnerabilities or exposed sensitive data were detected in the analysis. Overall, the security measures are appropriate for the site's function and audience.
Strategic Recommendations
Priority Actions for Security Improvement
Enable DNSSEC to enhance domain name system security.
✨Observations
AI-powered comprehensive website and business analysis.
AI-Enhanced Website Analysis
Business Insights
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
The VIAF® (Virtual International Authority File) combines multiple name authority files into a single OCLC-hosted name authority service. The goal is to lower the cost and increase the utility of library authority files by matching and linking widely-used authority files and making that information available on the Web.
good
consistent
Technical Stack
fast
good
good
good
Security Assessment
- HTTPS enforced
- ClientTransferProhibited domain status
- No DNSSEC but Cloudflare DNS used
- Cookie consent mechanism implemented
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
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
Critical sector without clear security compliance
HIGHDetected sectors: energy, transport, health, digital
📧Email Security
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation and email security assessment.
Email Security
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation
No SPF record found
HIGHSPF helps prevent email spoofing
No DKIM record found
MEDIUMDKIM adds cryptographic signatures to emails
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
No email authentication configured
CRITICALDomain is vulnerable to email spoofing
🏆SSL/TLS Security
Certificate validity and encryption analysis.
SSL/TLS Security
Certificate validity and encryption analysis
Weak Protocols Supported
HIGHServer supports weak protocols: TLSv1.1
Certificate Transparency Not Implemented
LOWCertificate is not logged in Certificate Transparency logs
SSL Certificate Expires Within 90 Days
MEDIUMSSL certificate expires in 55 days
Weak SSL Key Length
HIGHSSL certificate uses 256-bit key, which is considered weak
Partial SSL/TLS Assessment
LOWCompleted 3 of 4 security checks due to time constraints
Protocol Support
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
Domain Delete Lock Not Enabled
LOWDomain can be deleted without additional verification
No DMARC Record
MEDIUMDMARC policy not configured
Domain Registration Details
DNS Records
DNSSEC Status
DNS Performance
⚡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