How to Remove Your Website from McAfee Blacklist and Other Web Security Blocklists: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
If your small business website has been flagged as dangerous or suspicious by tools like McAfee WebAdvisor, Norton Safe Web, or other web security systems, it can seriously impact your credibility and ability to attract customers. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore why websites get blocked, how to fix it, and how to proactively prevent it from happening in the future.
Why Websites Get Blacklisted by Security Providers
Understanding the root causes helps you fix the issue and prevent it in the future. Here are the top reasons your site may be flagged:
- Malicious software (malware): Hackers inject malicious code through plugins, outdated themes, or security holes.
- Phishing or spam content: If your site or server is compromised, attackers may host phishing forms or pages.
- Bad IP neighborhood: Sharing hosting with suspicious or flagged websites can trigger a warning, even if your site is clean.
- Expired or missing SSL certificates: Websites without secure HTTPS connections are more likely to be flagged.
- Redirects to harmful URLs: Poorly configured ads or hacked redirect chains can make your site seem unsafe.
- High false-positive risk: Some website builders or DNS configurations can inadvertently trigger security software.
How to Check If Your Site Is Blacklisted
Use these tools to check if your site has been flagged:
- Google Safe Browsing: https://transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search
- McAfee SiteAdvisor / WebAdvisor: https://www.mcafee.com/enterprise/en-us/threat-center/site-report.html
- Norton Safe Web: https://safeweb.norton.com/
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center: https://global.sitesafety.trendmicro.com/
- Yandex Safe Browsing: https://yandex.com/infected?url=
- Bitdefender TrafficLight: https://www.bitdefender.com/tools/
- URLVoid Multi-Scanner: https://www.urlvoid.com/
How to Get Removed From Each Major Security Blocklist
1. McAfee WebAdvisor (formerly SiteAdvisor)
- Check Status: https://www.mcafee.com/enterprise/en-us/threat-center/site-report.html
- Submit a Review Request: Scroll to the bottom and log in or create a McAfee account to request a reevaluation.
2. Norton Safe Web
- Check & Dispute: https://safeweb.norton.com/help/site_owners
- Sign in and submit your site for evaluation.
3. Google Safe Browsing
- Check Status: Use Search Console under Security Issues: https://search.google.com/search-console
- Fix Issues: Clean up the website and request a review through the Security Issues page.
4. Bitdefender
- Submit Review: https://www.bitdefender.com/support/contact-us.html or https://www.bitdefender.com/tools/
5. Trend Micro
- Reputation Request: https://global.sitesafety.trendmicro.com/
6. Yandex Safe Browsing
- Check/Submit Review: https://yandex.com/infected?url=
7. Spamhaus
- Check Blacklists: https://check.spamhaus.org/
- Request Removal: Follow instructions if your domain or IP is listed.
Best Practices to Prevent Blacklisting
To keep your site off blacklists long-term:
- Use security plugins or firewalls. Tools like Wordfence or Sucuri help block threats in real time.
- Regular malware scans. Use built-in host tools or third-party scanning platforms weekly.
- Keep everything updated. Update WordPress, plugins, themes, and CMS frameworks regularly.
- Install an SSL certificate. Ensure HTTPS is enabled and valid at all times.
- Avoid shared hosting with bad neighbors. Opt for reputable web hosts with clean IP neighborhoods.
- Monitor uptime and site health. Tools like UptimeRobot and Site24x7 alert you to issues early.
- Use Google Search Console. It provides early warnings and suggestions to resolve issues.
Why It Matters for Small Business Owners
A flagged website means lost trust, fewer leads, and a hit to your local SEO. It also raises red flags for browsers like Chrome or Firefox, which may warn users not to visit your site.
At Fawkes Digital Marketing, we help small businesses secure their websites, clean up blacklists, and put proactive protection in place so it never happens again. If you've been flagged—or want to make sure you never are—reach out to us.
Need Help? Let's Fix It Today
Don't let a blacklist warning ruin your reputation. Contact Fawkes Digital Marketing to complete a security audit, clean up any listings, and restore your trust online.