How to Remove the "Deceptive Site Ahead" Warning

What is this warning?

Google Chrome and other browsers keep a list of unsafe websites. This list is called Safe Browsing. If your site is on it, visitors see a red page saying "Deceptive site ahead". The browser thinks your site may trick people into giving away private details or installing bad software. Most often, a hacker has put harmful files on your site without you knowing.

Steps to fix it

Warning: take a full backup before you delete or change any files.

1. Open Google Search Console and add your site. It is a free tool from Google. You must prove you own the site.

   

   

2. Open the Security issues report. It tells you what Google found.
3. Scan your site for malware (harmful code). Use a scanner in your control panel, a security plugin, or an online site scanner.
4. Change your passwords: hosting, control panel, FTP, database and your site admin login. Use strong, new ones.
5. Remove the bad files. Look for files you did not add, odd code inside your pages, and strange new users in your admin area.

   

   

6. If you use WordPress or another CMS, update the core software, themes and plugins. Delete any you do not use.
7. Look at your .htaccess file for redirects you do not recognise. Remove them.
8. If you are not sure, restore a clean backup from before the problem started.
9. Check your pages for links to bad sites, fake login forms or pop-ups.
10. Go back to the Security issues report and click Request a review. Write a short note on what you cleaned.
11. Wait for Google's answer. It can take a few days. When approved, the warning goes away.

Keep it from coming back

• Keep all software up to date.
• Use strong, different passwords.
• Take regular backups.
• Use HTTPS (the padlock) on your site.

Quick recap

• The warning means a browser thinks your site is unsafe.
• Find and remove malware and unknown files.
• Change all passwords and update software.
• Request a review in Google Search Console.