URL Blacklist: What It Is and How To Fix It

Here we will explain what is URL Blacklist and how to avoid it. Understand the reasons, methods, and URL: Blacklist removal process:

Whenever you access any website, a thought regarding if the website is safe troubles you at times. Also, you might get concerned about the file that you are downloading from a website as it can be malicious too. You can even have second thoughts about if your data is safe on the cloud.

Considering the user’s concerns regarding security, various companies have come together and have joined hands to make the Internet a better place to surf and download.

In this article, we will discuss insecure websites that come under the blacklist.

What Is URL Blacklist

As the name suggests, Blacklist is a list of various insecure websites which are accused of doing fraud, spreading malware, or triggering any other form of harmful activities.

Getting on this list is one of the biggest nightmares for website owners because the websites which become part of this list are no longer scanned by web crawlers, and no backlinks to generate these websites.

On the other hand, the website loses around 90-95% of its total traffic and is even removed from the first page of the search engine. If Google Chrome declares a URL blacklisted, then Mozilla Firefox also declares the website as blacklisted because of the business relations they have. Eventually, even Safari will declare the same.

How A Website URL Gets Blacklisted

There is never a fixed procedure, but there are a set of community guidelines that a website needs to follow, and if any website violates those guidelines, then it can get on the blacklist.

Websites should not indulge in the activities mentioned below to avoid getting blacklisted:

#1) Phishing Plans

The major reason why gets the URL: the blacklist is phishing. When a website is hacked, then various hackers create a fake payment gateway where users enter their card details, and then those card details are easily accessed by the hackers.

#2) Trojan Horses

Various websites attach Trojan horses to the downloads that are available on their website. Once these Trojan horses enter your system, they take control of your device completely.

#3) SEO Spamming

Various websites have been accused of SEO spamming. In this process, the website fills up the content section by spamming top-ranking keywords and hyperlinks.

#4) Harmful Plugins

You might have noticed that when you visit any website, then it displays numerous ads in the specific corners of the webpage. Whereas on some websites, you notice a plugin covers your screen download button, and in a tiny corner, there is a small cross or close button.

So if by mistake the user clicks on the button, then the plugin downloads in your browser and a hacker can access your sensitive data easily.

#5) Harmful Redirects

Many users have complained that whenever they click on any button on a particular website, it redirected them to another website, which can be a blogging site or a website with multiple download options available. Such redirects are very harmful and can get websites blacklisted.

How To Check If Website URL Is Blacklisted

Google provides users with a tool for such a process, and this tool is known as Google Transparency Report. The tool focuses on providing users with safe and secure Internet.

With Google Transparency Report, users can simply enter the URL of the website in the search tab and can check if the website is safe or not.

URL: Blacklist – Possible Reasons

There are certain things that you should keep in mind while checking the procedures of your website because if your website uses any of the practices listed below, then it can cause getting your website blocked.

#1) Using user’s data without informing or luring the user for any action

Various websites have been banned based on their malpractices of saving cookies without asking the user’s permission. You might have noticed that websites display a notification asking for cookies access, whereas some websites save cookies without asking, and these websites become part of the blacklist.

On some websites, you might have noticed that they display big advertisements and ask users to download applications to proceed further on the website; such practices can cause getting blacklisted too.

#2) Making changes in computing experience

Some software takes control of users’ choices and alters the computing experience, which includes changing the default web browser or disabling ad blockers, and browsers do not encourage such practices. Therefore, these activities can result in getting the website blocked.

#3) Using insecure third-party services

Various websites use third-party applications or websites for operations like payment and verification, but they need to make sure that they do this via a secure gateway and a trusted application. Most card payments are made by Mastercard, and users do not prefer entering their credentials on any other payment gateway.

And also, if a website sends a verification link or OTP, then it should be shared either on the contact number or the email. There should be no indulgence of any third-party application in the process.

Further Reading => BEST URL Shorteners For Link Customization

How To Avoid Blacklist URL

By following a few simple procedures, you can avoid getting your URL blacklisted. We list some of these procedures below:

#1) Update the Checking and Security mechanism

The manual process of maintaining and securing the data on servers is tedious. Therefore, it is best suited for the website owners to make the process automatic, which makes the process simpler and safer for the users.

#2) Refer or advertise trusted software only

There are a bunch of websites that depend solely on advertisements for their revenue, but these websites must make sure that the advertisements they promote or any software they recommend should be safe and secure for the users.

Note: These websites should ask for transparency reports of the redirects provided to them by the advertisers.

#3) Choose the most secure hosting programs

Website owners should always go for the most secure and encrypted hosting program, which can make their website much more safe and more secure.

Review Hosting Programs

Here is a list of secure hosting programs and services offered for website owners.

#1) Sucuri

Sucuri remains one of the most trusted web security platforms, and also it has brought itself an illustrious name and reputation among its users.

Features:

1. Malware scanning: Helps the users automate website routine malware checks.
2. Prevents Intrusion: Prevents website against possible threats or malware intrusions.
3. Malware Removal: Takes important security measures to remove viruses.

Pricing:

• Basic: $199.99/yr
• Pro: $299.99/yr
• Business: $499.99/yr

Website: Sucuri

#2) MalCare

A large number of websites use MalCare security to ensure their users of a safe and secure environment.

Features:-

1. Web Firewall: Offers web applications with a firewall that protects sensitive data against intrusions.
2. Deep Scan Technology: Provides advanced deep scan technology which helps users to locate any possible threat.
3. Instant Malware Removal: Secure methods and safety measures providing instant malware removal.

Pricing:

• Basic: $99/yr
• Plus: $149/yr
• Pro: $299/yr

Website: MalCare

#3) SiteLock

SiteLock not only focuses on making the website secure but also focuses on providing its users with secure cloud usage.

Features:

1. Cloud-based Firewall: Provides users with a cloud-based firewall, making their data secure.
2. Malware removal removes numerous errors and also provides a supporting cyber security team for complex malware.

Pricing:

• Basic: $14.99/month
• Pro: $24.99/month
• Business: $34.99/month

Website: SiteLock

URL Blacklist Removal Process

When your website is blacklisted, then you will receive a complete report of issues on your website. You can then follow the steps listed below to remove your website from the deny list:

#1) Study the Report

The first and foremost thing is to deeply study the report and find the most efficient and useful methods to fix them.

#2) Implement Solution

When your team comes up with the best ideas to fix those issues, then implement those solutions on your website and make your website secure.

#1) Make a Final Check and Ask for a Review

Create an account on GSC ( Google Search Console) and request a review of your website, and if your website gets a green signal, then your website is removed from the blacklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q #1) What is the blacklist virus?

Answer: URL: blacklist is not a virus, but it is a list of websites that are termed as insecure by search engines, and these websites can harm your system.

Q #2) Is URL blacklist a virus?

Answer: No, it is not a virus, but it is just a list of insecure websites which are red-flagged by search engines.

Q #3) Why is the URL blacklisted?

Answer: There can be various reasons responsible for getting your URL blacklisted, and we list some of them below:

1. Phishing
2. SEO spamming
3. Harmful plugins
4. Hazardous redirects
5. Corrupted downloads

Q #4) How do I open blocked sites without VPN?

Answer: You can use proxy applications that can allow you to access blocked websites on your system.

Conclusion

With years passing by and the much-needed advancement in technology, the Internet has become a safer place. Safe websites are nowadays provided with SSL certificates which keep them apart from malicious websites, but even these websites have chances of getting into the blacklist.

Therefore, in this article, we have discussed what is URL blacklist and how it work in favor of users in making their surfing safe and secure. We also discussed how to fix websites infected with URL: blacklists.