One of the ways these risk-prone URLs are kept in check is via URL blacklisting.
So, let’s answer the question “What does URL blacklist mean?” and explore how to strengthen your online security game to put the control back in your hands.
What Does URL Blacklist Mean?
Simply put, a URL blacklist is a list of URLs flagged as potentially hazardous and harmful.
The core purpose of URL blacklisting is to warn users before entering a dangerous site and to block malicious web pages actively.
Once a URL gets blacklisted, browsers alert users with a warning page before they proceed to the website.
Similarly, search engines may drop the website from their results, significantly impacting its web traffic and invariably, its business.
What are the Causes of a URL Blacklist?
URLs usually get blacklisted due to suspicious or harmful activities, and this could happen for a number of reasons.
Let's take a closer look at the potential factors that can lead to a URL getting blacklisted:
⛔ Phishing Schemes and Content: Phishing is an online attack where the attacker impersonates a service, company, or individual to steal confidential data from unaware users through harmful email links or false websites. If found guilty, these URLs are quickly blacklisted. It's crucial to keep in mind that such activities are illegal.
⛔ SEO Spam: Attempts made to engage in black-hat SEO practices often have unforeseen consequences. Search engines have constant checks on their part to detect and penalize such illegal activities. Websites found guilty of SEO spam, like hidden texts, keyword stuffing, or unnatural linking networks, can easily land on the blacklist.
⛔ Malware: Malware is a significant cause of sites being blacklisted. It can enter a website in various ways, such as through a third-party tool or a site vulnerability. Once malware infects a site, it can disrupt the site's functioning, steal customer data, or even usurp control of the site from its owners. Security firms and search engines are always on the lookout for such threats, and any site found harboring malware will be quickly blacklisted to protect users.
⛔ Unsafe Plugins: Plugins and themes are usually developed by third-party developers. If these third-party developers have malicious intent or their software has security vulnerabilities, it could lead to your site being compromised. This can lead to your site unknowingly engaging in dangerous activities, ultimately leading to it being blacklisted.
How Does a URL Get Blacklisted?
A URL usually gets blacklisted in two ways:
⚠️ Manual Reporting: Usually, web users or site owners report suspicious websites to security firms or search engines. Once verified, these URLs would be added to the blacklist.
⚠️ Automatic Detection: Security firms frequently scan the internet using sophisticated algorithms, identifying potentially harmful websites. These sites are then added to the URL blacklist.
For instance, Google has an automated process that continuously crawls the web to index new pages and updates. The process also helps identify harmful elements, like malware or phishing attempts.
If these elements are detected, Google places the website on the blacklist. Once blacklisted by Google, your website may disappear from the search engine results, drastically affecting your incoming web traffic and business.
How Can You Check If a URL is Blacklisted?
After spending countless hours creating and managing your website, the last thing you or any website owner wants is to find your website on a blacklist.
Luckily, there are various tools available to test if your site has made the unwanted leap onto a URL blacklist. Tools such as Google Transparency Report, Norton Safe Web, or URLVoid can help you to determine if your URL is blacklisted so you can take necessary precautions.
You can also use Google Search Console to check if your website has been blacklisted. Click on Security & Manual Actions in the dashboard to view the alerts about any security threats or violations on your website.
Security Issues will present you with all possible issues detected by Google, including malware, deceptive pages, harmful downloads, or uncommon downloads. If your website is clean, you'd see a green check with a message saying “No issues detected”.
👉 You may want to read: How Accurate is the Google Search Console? [4 Myths 🔮]
Moreover, if you suspect your website has been blacklisted by its hosting provider, it's worth contacting them to confirm. They'll likely have additional information about why the site was blacklisted and ways to rectify it.
How Can You Remove a URL From a Blacklist?
Getting your website blacklisted can be a significant setback, particularly if you heavily rely on your online presence for business. It can lead to a sharp drop in web traffic, ultimately hitting your bottom line.
However, it's not a doomsday scenario!
Here are the steps on how to fix a blacklisted URL and turn this setback into a comeback:
✅ Acknowledge the Problem: The first step to removing a URL from a blacklist is acknowledging that there was actually a problem that led to your URL getting blacklisted.
✅ Identify and Fix the Issue: After identifying the problem, a review of your website may reveal signs of malware or indicate the presence of an injected spam link. Once these issues are identified, it's crucial to follow best practices and seek professional help to ensure that the issues are fully resolved.
✅ Request a Review: Once done, it’s important to report back to the blacklisting party to have them review the issue once again. Don’t forget to provide a detailed explanation of what you have done to resolve the issue that led to the blacklisting.
✅ Patience Pays: The review process might take some time, sometimes even a few weeks. It's crucial to remain patient during this time and proactively follow-up, if necessary.
10 Best Practices to Avoid URL Blacklisting
As the famous saying goes, "prevention is better than cure." By following these security practices diligently, you'll take a giant leap toward avoiding URL blacklisting.
Here are some proactive measures you can take:
01- Keep Everything Up to Date
Perhaps one of the simplest, yet the most effective weapons in your arsenal is to keep everything updated. Whether it's your website's core software, plugins, themes, or server software, keeping them up-to-date can significantly enhance your site's security.
Developers frequently release updates to patch vulnerabilities and fix bugs, helping you close any potential loopholes for attacks.
02- Only Use Trusted Software
It’s tempting to use that trendy new plugin or theme you came across. But, hold on! Have you verified its source? Does it come from a trusted developer or site?
Using software from unverified sources can expose your website to potential threats, leading to blacklisting. Stay away from nulled versions and always stick to trusted sources to maintain your website's health.
03- Use Strong Passwords
This one seems like a no-brainer, yet often is the most neglected defense strategy. Simple or commonly used passwords can be easily guessed or cracked by attackers, offering them an open invitation to your website's control panel.
Use complex, unique passwords for your website and, if available, employ two-factor authentication for an additional layer of security.
Also as an owner or admin, it's crucial to mandate strong passwords for all users. Establish a guideline for password creation or use tools that enforce strong password practices amongst all users.
04- Use Google Web Risk API
Google Web Risk API provides you with real-time access to Google's vast database of unsafe URLs, helping you keep your site and users safe.
Using this tool can warn your users about potentially unsafe links, protecting them from threats and your site from losing credibility.
05- Pick a Secure Hosting Provider
Your hosting provider plays a crucial role in your website's security. A hosting provider susceptible to attacks provides an open window for hackers.
Conduct thorough research and pick a hosting provider with a strong reputation for security.
Ensure they offer solid security features like regular backups, automatic updates, firewalls, and SSL certificates.
06- Use an Automated Cybersecurity Service
Automated cybersecurity services maintain comprehensive surveillance on your website, identifying and thwarting potential threats before they cause any damage.
Moreover, they provide excellent assistance in cleanup and recovery in case of a security breach.
07- Keep Your Software and Third-Party Apps Up-to-Date
Similar to your website's core software, even the third-party apps and software you utilize need regular updating.
Updated versions often include patches for any previously identified vulnerabilities, bug fixes, and enhancements that improve the overall security.
08- Limit Login Attempts
Limiting login attempts can help reduce brute force attacks, where attackers attempt to log in to your website repeatedly until they guess the right credentials.
Numerous plugins and tools can help implement this feature on your website, improving its security against such attacks.
09- Replace Broken Links
Broken links can lead to poor user experience and may negatively impact your SEO rankings. But while they might seem harmless, they can sometimes be manipulated by hackers to redirect your users to harmful websites.
Regularly check your website for broken links and replace them promptly.
👉 You may want to read: How to Find & Fix Broken Links in Google Search Console
10- Assign User Roles and Permissions
Every user of your website doesn't need to have full access. Limit the level of access based on user roles and requirements.
By limiting permissions, you are reducing the potential points of entry for attackers.
Wrapping Up
Virtually every internet user has either directly or indirectly encountered URL blacklisting. Whether it's a warning message on your browser about a dangerous site ahead or those pesky emails that lead to spammy links, we've all been there.
A URL can be blacklisted by security tools and websites because of suspicious activities, potentially causing harm to those visiting the website, like distributing malware or phishing scams.
Suffice to say, understanding URL blacklisting is the first step to protecting your website from potential security threats, boosting your website's SEO ranking, and improving overall user trust!
👉 You may also want to read:
- Google Sandbox in SEO: How to Get Out of It Faster
