Developer Builds and Iterates URL Threat Detection System to Version 2

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A developer has publicly shared the journey of building a URL-based phishing detection system, now at its second major version and fully deployed. The project evolved through real-world feedback, revealing critical issues that self-testing alone could not uncover. Key technical lessons included the importance of provider redundancy, combining multiple signals rather than relying solely on machine learning, and designing for system failure. A DSA chairman who reviewed the tool emphasized that user transparency — covering what is checked, how scores are calculated, and data handling — was as important as detection accuracy. The tool is being developed under Aeglix, a cybersecurity initiative focused on building digital security tools for Africa.

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