Almost 75% of websites have legitimate risks of getting vulnerable to cyber issues such as bugs, malware, etc. The Internet has opened up the horizon of so many opportunities. At the same time, it’s not error-free.
Issues such as malware attacks and cyber attacks have the worst result of snatching everything you own on the Internet. It’s significant to know how to get rid of URL malware.
Today in this blog, we have featured the examined method for making your website malware free. Let’s read!
- What is a URL Malware?
- 7 Symptoms of a Malware Attack
- How to Get Rid of URL Malware: Step By Step Process to Remove URL: MAL Manually
- Automated Online Services to Clean Malware
- 5 Ways to Keep Your Website Malware Free
What is a URL Malware?
URL malware is generally all those normal-looking links that were created to promote scams, attacks, and frauds. By clicking those links, You will get ransomware, virus, trojan, or any other type of malware that will compromise your machine or even your network. Shortly it became known as URL: MAL.
These links can reach you in disguise of spam, phishing, and spearphishing emails. The matter of concern is they can spread in the form of shortened links like bit.ly. You can recognize a suspicious URL malware by the following symptoms:
- Long URL which seems not to serve your purpose
- Any suspicious email with links, especially with the phrases “This is a safe link” or “This email isn’t spammed.”
- Unnecessary Shortened links may drive you to phishing sites.
7 Symptoms of a Malware Attack
Since malware can invade your device anyway, there are certain symptoms that will indicate that something is not right. We have featured some common signs which may indicate your system is under attack.
1. Your Device Slows Down
If your device slows down and hangs for a moment. This happens if you have clicked any links that contain malware. But this could be another cause of your burdened RAM or any hardware issue.
2. Random Computer Crashes
If your device screen freezes randomly for no specific reason, this could be a possible sign of a malware attack. This will appear as a legendary blue screen of death.
Here the notification is commanding the user to uninstall the recently installed app, which is causing trouble to the BIOS system.
3. Sudden Pop-Ups
Sudden pop-ups are annoying. These are the potential signs of malware invasion of your system. Because of their increasing pop-ups, there are certain pop-up blocker apps available. You will get a pop-up message like,” Your system has malware in it; click on the link to know.” Trust me, clicking on those links will get you in trouble.
4. System Tools Stop Working
Sometimes malware may invade your administrative system as well. You may find from the task manager that certain systems are not working. To find that go to task manager and check the active app list. If there is malware, you will find some random tool has stopped working already.
5. Ransom Demands
This is the horrible one, malware like ransomware can hack your system and block the network of your device. The hackers may locate in anywhere in the world and will demand money to release your system. The hackers may encrypt your files and prevent you from accessing those.
Either you can get some fake alert on being an illegal user of any cyber property.
6. Hard Disk Gets Blocked
This could be possible that suddenly you will notice your hardware is not functioning well. The storage may seem full. Check on the installed app; there, you may find some unknown apps which are blocking your hard disk space. Malware blocks the space and creates a storage crisis as well.
7. Everything Looks Normal
This is the scariest of all. Your system may seem pretty normal; everything is working fine. But still, there is malware that is secretly spying on your device. This spyware secretly monitors your online activity and sends hackers all the information. Malware is not always easy to detect.
Read More: Find Out Which Plugin is Slowing Your WordPress Site
How to Get Rid of URL Malware: Step By Step Process to Remove URL: MAL Manually
Step 1: Locate URL: MAL File
As soon as you realize your pc is infected, remove any kind of USB or SD card slots. This could be cell phones, portable hard drives, music devices, and even eBook readers. Now it’s time to scan your device thoroughly. Use your antivirus for this role. This will search the suspicious files in every corner of your device. After the scan is done, the antivirus will give you a list of suspicious files.
Step 2: Remove the URL: MAL Infected File and Delete Other Associated Files.
Now the scan is over, select all the malware and terminate them. Advanced users can detect how dangerous these are. When you’re done with erasing those files, restart your pc to wipe out any malware running in your device slot. Repeat scan 2-3 times more to make sure there are no infected files left. Once you have reviewed and deleted the compromised files, it doesn’t ensure that your computer is safe now.
Step 3: Don’t Install Suspicious Apps
This is the step for cautiousness. Don’t download any files that you don’t recognize. Install a well-protected antivirus. This is the best way to keep your device malware free. Antiviruses will notify you if they see any suspicious files taking place on your device.
Automated Online Services to Clean Malware
Regardless of the manual process, there are several online security services that will keep your device safe from any suspicious bugs. These tools are mainly used for optimizing the security of websites(Commonly detects MAL: URL). We recommend the following as the most prominent ones:
1. SUCURI
If you are looking for a 24/7 service, SUCURI is the best shot for you to have. This online service provides unlimited cleanups to keep your site malware-free. On top of that, this service responds promptly. This uses scripts that are able to give you both automated and manual cleanups.
Key Features
- Fit for all kinda website
- Reliable support
- Automated and manual support
2. Astra
Astra is a professional malware cleaning guide operated by real humans. Their service promises to clean phishing, hijacking, defacements, blacklist, SEO spam, and other threats. After cleaning, you can attach the Astra firewall security system to protect your site from future attacks.
Key Features
- Offers premium service
- Operated by real human
- Well-protected security service for prevention.
- Offers vulnerability scan
3. Wordfence
With more than 4 million active users, Wordfence has become one of the best online platforms for boosting your web security. Wordfence is a quick solution to clean suspicious malware from your WordPress site. The best part of using Wordfence, it gives a whole summary of the investigation.
Key Features
- Offers premium license at a reasonable cost
- Investigates the reason for getting malware attack
- Restores the affected website
4. Site Guarding
If you are up for a quick fix, Site Guard is the one-stop solution for you. To remove malware from WordPress or Joomla, this is one of the best you have. This platform has multiple options; you can choose the most convenient one for you.
Key Features
- Core file checking
- Prevents SQL/XSS
- Speeds up site
- Removes Blacklist
5. Fix My Site
it is a popular online service for professional cleaning. Fix my site offers a three-step execution step to erase malware from your device. First, this platform scans where the risk lies. Then removes the findings and hardens the security.
Key Features
- Smooth Cleaning Operation
- Affordable service
5 Ways to Keep Your Website Malware Free
There is a famous saying about malware.
People’s computers are not getting more secure. They are getting more infected with viruses. They are getting more under control of malware.
It proves your device is never safe. It’s wise to be conscious all the time. So we have brought out the best prevention hacks you should follow and you can prevent website infected with malware. Check this out.
1. Scan Regularly
Get your antivirus at work. Scanning regularly is a part of daily security checkups. Install an efficient security checker for your websites as well. This will find out if there is something wrong with your device or site. Through these, you can scan your entire site for potential vulnerabilities, malware, and changed files and check if your site has been blacklisted.
2. Use Regular Backups
You will have to keep a backup for emergencies. This is the best prevention hack ever! You can use a staging site as a backup as well. Backups will make things easier if you want to restore the data after a malware attack. On a special note, your backups should be restored offsite to make sure you always have access to them in the time your hosting provider gets compromised due to a hackers attack or power outage.
3. Update Your System
The most common reason for your WordPress getting infected is it’s outdated. Research says, 39.3% of outdated WordPress sites are prone to malware attacks. So try to keep your device and website updated. This is true that an updated device is a prerequisite for sound performance.
4. Choose Your Web Hosting Wisely
Weak hosting plans are the silent enemy of your website. These hosting can be easily manipulated to compromise your website. At the same time, advanced hosting brings well-built security features. So invest wisely in your web hosting plans.
5. Enforce Secure Passwords
This is the least prevention hack one should follow. Try to keep your password secured and alphanumeric. Don’t settle for a common one. Your password should have upper case and lowercase characters, digits, and symbols. When it comes to a website, you should use separate passwords for different plugins of your dashboard.
FAQs on How to Get Rid of URL Malware
Question 1: How do I remove URL blacklisted malware?
Answer: To remove URL blacklisted malware, follow the steps listed below:
Step 1: Check the current status of your URL through security scanning
Step 2: Now detect and remove the malware from the system
Step 3: Now send a petition for site review. After investigation, your site will be free. Don’t forget to increase the security system.
Question 2: Can you get a virus by opening a URL?
Answer: This is quite common to get a virus by opening a URL. Viruses are one form of malware. Clicking a MAL: URL may direct you to the fishing site.
Question 3: How do I find malware in my URL?
Answer: There are numerous well-secured Malware checkers which may help you to detect if there is any malware in your system. Platforms like SUCURI, Astra, and Fix My Site could be good options to choose from.
Question 4: What if I accidentally clicked on a suspicious link?
Answer: If you accidentally click on a suspicious link, the first thing you need to do is turn off your internet connection. This will disconnect you from accessing the fishing site. In case of a wired connection, pull it off.
Question 5: Can you get hacked just by visiting a website?
Answer: Yes, a website may carry those viruses which can hack your device. Now technology is so modern that your device can get hacked anytime.
Summing Up Malware Issues in Your URL
As technology is getting advanced day by day, hackers are getting new ways to ruin your valuable device, intellectual or web properties. It’s quite common to mistakenly click phishing links or get a malware attack.
So all we can do is be careful of our actions. In this article, we have stated the easiest ways featuring how to get rid of URL Malware. We believe these tips will assist you to secure your website. Best of luck!