Receiving a security warning on your website can be concerning, especially if your website is central to your business, online presence or personal brand. These alerts are issued by your web browser or Google to protect users from potential threats such as malware, phishing, or unwanted software.
While these issues are serious, they are often fixable with a systematic approach. This guide will help you understand what these warnings mean, how to identify the underlying problems, and the steps you should take to resolve them efficiently and effectively.
What Does This Warning Mean?
When you see a warning like this—whether in Google search results, Chrome, Edge, or other browsers—it’s usually because something suspicious was detected about the website. Their goal is to keep the user safe from threats like malware, phishing scams, or malicious software that could damage your device or steal your private information.
Google’s Safe Browsing technology also constantly scans the web and flags sites that look risky. When something is detected, warnings may pop up in browsers. Sometimes, these warnings appear because a website has been hacked, infected, or is unknowingly hosting harmful content.
But what kinds of problems cause this? Some common reasons are:
- Malware or unwanted software: Hidden malicious code or files that are designed to infect visitors’ devices or steal information.
- Hacked content: Unauthorized changes made to your site by hackers, often injecting malicious scripts or links.
- Phishing pages: Fake pages that mimic legitimate ones to trick visitors into revealing sensitive information.
- Deceptive ads or scripts: Embedded third-party advertisements or scripts that are malicious or misleading.
- Spam or spammy links: Hackers or malicious actors may add spam content or links that redirect visitors or spread malware.
If you’re seeing this warning, it’s a sign that your website needs some attention.
Diagnose the Problem
Diagnose the root cause is crucial before attempting to fix the issues. In Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer, look for warnings like:
- “This site has been reported as unsafe,” or “Are you trying to visit this website?”
In Google Chrome (or Chromium based browsers) you’ll see a warning message such as:
- “This site may harm your computer”
Verify whether the problem is caused by hacked content, malicious scripts, or malware. Run a security scan or audit—many website hosting providers offer built-in security tools and features. You can also utilize scanning tools such as Virustotal or Sucuri’s SiteCheck for further analyzation.
You’ll want to review your website’s behavior. If possible, review files for unfamiliar code or scripts, especially in key pages or scripts that load externally. Look for suspicious redirects, unfamiliar scripts, or unexpected changes in your site’s content but avoid clicking on any or further reloading after finding.
And look for recent changes. Check your website logs or backups to see if there’s been any unauthorized modifications.
Remember, if you’re unsure or the issue seems complex, it’s often best to consult with a professional security experts such as our cybersecurity services to perform thorough scans and diagnosis.
Addressing Warnings in Different Browsers and Platforms
For Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen checks URLs and files against dynamic threat lists to warn users of suspicious sites or downloads.
If your site is flagged
Ensure your site follows best security practices: use HTTPS, keep software updated, and remove malicious scripts before requesting a review.
You can report false positives or request a review to Microsoft using the “More information” or “Report that this site does not contain threats” feedback option links on the warning pages. Visit their Microsoft Defender Smart FAQ page for more information.
Fix and Secure Your Website
Google’s Transparency Report
Check whether Google has flagged your site as unsafe with the Transparency Report tool.
Follow the steps in the Google Search Console to review and fix issues
You’ll want to add and verify your website to the Search Console tool, then review any security issues under the “Security Issues” section to see specific alerts and detailed information. You can also the URL Inspection Tool this to see how Google perceives your pages and detect any issues. Read more on Google’s support article.
Take a full backup
Revert files from a clean backup if available. If any malicious scripts, spam links, redirects, or any unauthorized pages or spam content found, delete and document.
If any malicious scripts, spam links, redirects, or any unauthorized pages or spam content found, delete and document.
Update
Update your CMS, plugins, themes or other dependent services.
Change all your website passwords and if you have a website that allows registration, limit user permissions.
Ensure HTTPS is valid and your SSL certificate up to date. Check our article on checking you website’s SSL security.
Keep your software and plugins up to date and, regularly perform security scans or audits—many hosting providers offer this as a service.
Monitor your site periodically. Consider security services like Sucuri or Wordfence for ongoing monitoring.
Request a Review
Submit a request for review once your site is cleaned.
In Google Search Console
Use the “Request Review” feature under Search Console >> Security Issues. Review Google’s support article for more information.
In Microsoft Edge/Internet Explorer
Use the feedback options or reporting tools on warning pages.
Reviews can take time, from several days to weeks.
Prevent future security issue by monitoring your site’s reputation periodically, regularly updating all software, plugins, and themes, and using secure connections and strong, unique passwords
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