Google’s Safe Browsing technology plays a critical role in protecting users from malicious or harmful content on the websites they visit. While specific numbers can vary, it’s estimated that Google adds thousands of websites to its blocklist daily.
For most website owners, the security warnings, hack indicators, and diagnostic pages can be daunting.
In this article we will understand what a blocklist is, how to remove website hacks, and resolve Google security warnings. This will give a basic understanding about how quickly you can restore your website and reclaim visitors, revenue, and SEO rankings.
Common Indicators of a Block-listed Site
Identifying a block-listed site is crucial for both webmasters and users to address potential security issues and protect personal information. Here are common indicators that suggest, a website has been block-listed:
- Safe Browsing Alerts: Browsers will show warnings such as “Deceptive site ahead” or “This site may harm your computer” before allowing access to the website
- Search Engine Warnings: In search results, warnings like “This site may harm your computer” appear below the website’s link.
- Unusual Behaviour at web pages:
Unexpected Redirects: The site redirects to unfamiliar or suspicious websites.
Pop-ups and Ads: Excessive or suspicious pop-ups and ads may appear, which were not previously present. - Antivirus/Anti-malware Warnings: Security software installed on a user’s computer may block access to the site or display alerts when the site is visited.
- Hosting Service Provider Notification that alerts the users for a possible compromise in the system.
What is the Google Blocklist?
Google is the most used search engine in the world and is providing its users a safe online experience. To safeguard the online wellbeing of its users, it identifies and flag any potentially malicious websites by “block-listing” them. This is to alert the users to move forward with caution, notify the website owner of an issue, and simultaneously restricting the attacker’s intentions.
When a search engine blocklists a website, it refers to the process of removing a website from their index. When a website is block-listed, it almost loses 95% of its organic traffic, which directly impacts business sales and revenue.
Google’s block-listing efforts are a crucial part of maintaining a safer internet. By understanding the reasons behind block-listing and implementing robust security measures, website owners can protect their sites from being flagged and ensure a secure browsing experience for their users.
Why Google Blocklists Websites?
- User Protection (Primary Objective): The main reason Google blocklists websites is to protect users from malicious content. This includes malware, phishing scams, and deceptive practices that could harm users or compromise their personal information.
- Maintaining Trust: by improving Search Engine Credibility and by preventing harmful websites from appearing in search results. Google maintains the trust and reliability of its search engine, ensuring that users can browse safely.
- Safer Browsing Experience: Google’s efforts contribute to a safer overall browsing experience by reducing the likelihood of users encountering harmful sites.
Common Reasons for Block-listing
- Malware: Websites that distribute malicious software that can infect visitors’ computers.
- Phishing: Sites designed to trick users into disclosing personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
- Unwanted Software: Websites promoting software that behaves in unexpected and undesirable ways, often affecting users’ browsing experience or privacy.
- Compromised Websites: Legitimate websites that have been hacked and are being used to serve malicious content or links.
- Deceptive Content: Sites that mislead users with false information, fake alerts, or misleading advertisements.
Google’s Process for Block-listing
- Detection through Automated Scans: Google uses automated systems to scan websites for malicious and harmful content.
- User Reports: Users can report unsafe websites, which are then reviewed by Google’s security team.
- Evaluation: Google’s systems analyze websites to identify patterns and behaviours consistent with malware, phishing, or other security threats.
- Warning Display: Block-listed websites trigger warnings in Google Chrome and other browsers that use Google’s Safe Browsing technology. Users are alerted before they visit these sites.
Example of Blocklist Warning Messages and Alerts
Each browser uses their own customized messages when flagging a site under blocklist. Here is list of messages if appears on the website, means it has been block-listed:
- This site may harm your computer
- The site ahead contains malware
- Phishing attack ahead
- Suspicious site
- Deceptive site ahead
- This website has been reported unsafe
- Deceptive website warning
- Warning: potential security risk ahead
- This site may be hacked
- This page is trying to load scripts from unauthenticated sources
- Warning: visiting this site may harm your computer
- The site ahead contains harmful programs
- Software is preventing Chrome from safely connecting to this site
Impact of Block-listing
- Website Traffic: Block-listed sites typically experience a significant drop in traffic as users are deterred by the warnings.
- Reputation Damage: Being block-listed can harm a website’s reputation, as users may perceive it as unsafe.
- Revenue Loss: Websites relying on ad revenue or e-commerce may see a drop in income due to reduced traffic and user trust.
How to Avoid Being Block-listed?
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct frequent security checks and use security plugins or services to monitor for vulnerabilities.
- Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your website’s CMS, plugins, and other software components to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Strong Security Practices: Implement strong passwords, use two-factor authentication, and ensure secure coding practices.
- HTTPS: Ensure your website uses HTTPS to encrypt data between your site and its users.
- User Education: Educate users about safe browsing practices and encourage them to report any suspicious activities or content on your site.
- Scan Your Site for Malware: You can use various scan tool like Sucuri, SiteGround, Owasp scanner for your site and find malicious payloads, malware locations, security issues, and blocklist status with associated vulnerabilities.
How to Fix block-listed Websites?
Fixing a block-listed website involves several steps, starting from identifying the probable reasons for the block, to addressing the issues causing it. Here are steps to understand the whole process:
1 Identify the Block-listing Source: Determine which entity or service has block-listed your website. Common sources such as Search engines (e.g., Google Safe Browsing), Antivirus software, Web browsers, Hosting providers, Email blacklists etc.
2 Check for Issues: Explore the reasons, error messages for the block-listing. For example, issues like:
- Malware or malicious code on your site
- Phishing or fraudulent activities
- Spam content
Use the following tools to help identify the issues:
- Google Search Console: Check for security issues.
- Sucuri SiteCheck: Perform a website security check.
3 Clean Up Your Website: If malware or malicious content is found.
- Remove Malware: Use a website security service (e.g., Sucuri, Wordfence) to remove malware.
- Update Software: Ensure all software (CMS, plugins, themes) is up-to-date.
- Secure Your Site: Implement security measures like a web application firewall (WAF), secure passwords, and regular backups.
4 Review and Remove Bad Content: If the issue is related to content violations.
- Remove or Edit Content: Delete or modify any content that violates policies.
- Spam Control: Use CAPTCHA and spam filters to prevent spam.
5 Request a Review: After addressing the issues, request a review from the entity that block-listed your site:
- Google: Use Google Search Console to request a review.
- Antivirus Companies: Contact the respective support teams to inform them of the cleanup.
- Web Browsers: Follow the instructions provided by browsers for reconsideration.
- Hosting Providers: If your host block-listed the site, contact their support team for assistance.
6 Monitor and Prevent Future Issues: To prevent future block-listing:
- Regular Scans: Regularly scan your site for malware and vulnerabilities.
- Security Plugins: Use security plugins or services.
- Monitoring Services: Employ monitoring services to get alerts for any issues.
Conclusion
Google’s block-listing efforts are a crucial part of maintaining a safer internet. By understanding the reasons behind block-listing and implementing robust security measures, website owners can protect their sites from being flagged and ensure a secure browsing experience for their users.
Regular maintenance and security measures are crucial to prevent future occurrences.
You can reach out to WordPromise for detailed security and performance optimization of your website for a smooth hassle-free experience.
