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SiteLock Post Clean Steps

 

HostGator offers SiteLock to help protect websites from malware and malicious attacks. This article discusses SiteLock's Essential and Prevent plans' features and how additional work from users is needed to restore their websites before its infected state fully.

SiteLock offers a comprehensive solution that can help prevent compromises and quickly recover if it does happen. Because we know the importance of website security, HostGator is happy to provide a special offer for customers interested in SiteLock:

Here is a guide introducing your SiteLock Dashboard:

What if the website is infected?

  1. Review your SiteLock Dashboard.
  2. Run any scan and clean updates.

    Note: Auto-configuration of products is performed for the customer.

    • Essentials – 12 hours for Smart Scan to queue.
    • Prevent – 6 hours for Smart Scan to queue.
    • Prevent Plus – 1-2 hours for Smart Scan to queue.
  3. There is no visual representation of the ongoing scan. Once the scan is completed, the Red X (if still infected) or Green ✔ (if clean) will show the scan's status. You will be notified via email, so please ensure your email address is up-to-date.

To update your email address:

  1. Log in to your SiteLock Dashboard.
  2. Select Settings from the left-side menu.
  3. Click Notifications.
  4. Toggle the Receive Security Alerts to ON and update the email address.
  5. Click Save.

SMART Patch

  • A warning will show if the site is known to have vulnerabilities.
  • If the vulnerabilities are not patched, the site will likely be affected again.

What if the account is suspended?

  • If SMART and SMART DB indicate that the website is clean as shown by the Green ✔, you will need to contact HostGator Support and request a website and account review to remove the suspension.
  • If the website is still infected, Red X, or there are additional infected files, don't hesitate to contact SiteLock Support for further assistance.

    Here are two ways how to contact SiteLock Support:
    • Submit a support ticket via the SiteLock Dashboard.
      1. Log in to your SiteLock Dashboard.
      2. Click Support from the left-hand menu.
      3. Fill up the form, then click Submit.
    • Contact SiteLock support via (855) 426-0520 (Please select Option 2 for support).

What if the website is blacklisted?

If your website has been blacklisted, no further action can be taken until it has been cleaned up.

Once clean, please do the following steps:

  1. Submit your site to https://www.virustotal.com to find out how many organizations have blacklisted your website.
  2. Once you get the results back, you need to submit your website to each organization for a site review and removal from the blacklist.

    Here are the most common organizations with instructions on how to remove the blacklisting:

While the Essentials and Prevent plans can provide an adequate amount of security on websites, all of the issues discussed above can be handled by SiteLock's Prevent Plus Plan. You will have the benefits of both the Essential and Prevent plans with the addition of: 

  • PCI Compliance Scanning (quarterly vulnerability scans)
  • Website CMS (WordPress, WooCommerce, Joomla, Magento, PrestaShop, and Drupal) Vulnerability Patching

You can upgrade your Essential or Prevent plan to Prevent Plus plan anytime; see SiteLock Upgrades, Cancellations, and Support for further details.

Have further questions? Speak to one of our security specialists at (855) 426-0520.