If Google detects that your website contains social engineering content (content that tricks visitors into doing something dangerous, like revealing confidential information or downloading software), the Chrome browser may display a "Deceptive site ahead" warning when visitors view your site. You can check if any pages on your site are suspected of containing social engineering attacks by visiting the Security Issues report.
Open the Security Issues Report
A social engineering attack is when a web user is tricked into doing something dangerous online.
There are different types of social engineering attacks. A phishing site might trick users into revealing their personal information (for example, passwords, phone numbers, or credit cards). Deceptive content, such as an ad that falsely claims that device software is out-of-date, might trick users into installing unwanted software.
A social engineering attack happens when either:
Google Safe Browsing protects web users from social engineering by warning users before they see deceptive content. Learn more about social engineering and see examples here.
How is social engineering different from phishing? Phishing is just one type of social engineering attack.
Deceptive social engineering content may be included via resources embedded in the page, such as images, other third-party components, or ads. Such deceptive content may trick site visitors into downloading unwanted software.
Google Safe Browsing protects web users from deceptive content by warning users on publisher pages that consistently display social engineering ads. Learn more and see examples here.
Additionally, hackers can take control of innocent sites and use them to host or distribute social engineering content. The hacker could change the content of the site or add additional pages to the site, often with the intent of tricking visitors into parting with personal information such as credit card numbers. You can find out if your site has been identified as a site that hosts or distributes social engineering content by checking the Security Issues report in Search Console.
See our Help for Hacked Sites if you believe that your site has been hacked.
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