Hoping to improve its online security offerings, McAfee on Wednesday announced that it had acquired SiteAdvisor. The Boston, Mass. based company maintains a database of Web sites that it tests for spyware, adware, spam, browser attacks, and online scams.

Each site is rated by a green, yellow or red icon based on those tests. McAfee says the acquisition would give an unprecedented level of security for those surfing the Internet when combined with the company's other products.

"The acquisition of SiteAdvisor illustrates how McAfee continues to understand and meet the digital safety and security needs of consumers, just as we did when we began offering Security as a Service seven years ago," McAfee consumer executive vice president Bill Kerrigan said in prepared remarks.

SiteAdvisor's technology also extends to Web searches, the companies explained. When a user searches through Google, Yahoo or MSN, the technology displays the safety rating next to the search result. Additionally, as users browse the internet, a button on the toolbar would change color based on that site's security rating.

McAfee also said that SiteAdvisor would provide enhancements for its enterprise customers. "This unique technology adds another dimension of strength and value to McAfee's threat databases and will offer a significant corporate benefit," company vice president and chief scientist George Heron said.

No announcement was made as to when the acquired technologies would be integrated into future McAfee products.