Did you recently received this email from Google. This means Google’s Safe browsing systems are detecting some problem on your site.
Sample Email From Google
Security Issues Page
You may find the similar message on google webmaster Security Issues page too. See below snapshot.
Devils Not There in Details
You may want to click on the “show details” link, however most of the time these details are useless (just like any other webmaster/google email). The details re-iterate the same thing.
As a site owner I really get frustrated seeing a problem but not getting any details about it.
What Does it Mean?
This email usually means Google did not like some advertisements on your website. Typically the ads that trick users into clicking on it by saying download now or similar. The reasons can be many however its mostly related to advertising and phishing related to it.
How To Fix The Problem
Every site may have different problem therefore fix may depend on your site. However if you site was working fine in past then you can suspect recent changes are the culprit.
Detecting the Problem
- Before you start taking actions, take note and make a plan(in Google doc/spreadsheet). You will need to submit a detailed report to google while requesting review. And Google accepts only google docs.
- Thoroughly review your website — all pages. Note down anything suspicious in your report.
- Analyze any recent changes to the site and note them in your report.
- There are some links in Google email that may point you to various documentation. Read through it and address anything else you find violating google’s policy on advertising.
Actions : Fixing The Problem
Once you have taken note of all potential issues fix them one by one and update the report with an action column.
- Remove any recent code changes or advertising units.
- Remove any suspicious page.
How to Submit a Review Request
Below is a sample email draft you can use to submit review request from. Please make sure to use Google docs link for sending a report.
- Go to Security Issues Page on Google Webmaster
- Select “I have fixed these issues” — see image below
- Submit “Request a Review” button.
- You see another popup like below
- Use below Email Draft for Review request, change the details according to your website.
Dear Google Safe Browsing Team Member,
On [date] we received a notification of a Social engineering content detection on our website. We have reviewed the site where where we believe there may be a problem. We removed the code that we suspect may have caused this problem.
Here is a Google Doc highlighting the work carried out:
http://link-to-only-a-google-doc-report-nothing-else
We are committed to following your guidelines in the future
Thank you for your consideration
Review Successful Message
If google reviews and finds no more issues on your site you will recceive a message like below
Good luck
I hope google will respond to you with more details or remove the security issue flag from your site. Please share your experience and other details to help other affected website owners.
