The internet can be incredibly useful, allowing users to share content and opinions, take up different hobbies, and even start successful businesses. However, the freedom of the internet also leaves it vulnerable to abuse by malicious actors. Criminals take advantage of internet users to perpetrate a series of cyberattacks, including phishing and distributing malware.
Some simply take advantage of the internet’s relative freedom to create fraudulent websites, spread misinformation, or share illegal content and activities. Without a dedicated body in charge of monitoring the internet the way law-enforcement officials monitor the physical world, it falls to everyday users to act when they find something online that is grossly offensive or fraudulent and, when necessary, report it to the relevant authorities.
So, how do you report a website that crosses the line? It depends on the nature of the issue.
What can you report a website for?
It’s important to remember that much of what we consider unacceptable on the internet – such as fraud and indecent imagery – is also a crime in the real world. As such, it should be reported to the relevant authorities. But what exactly is it possible to report a website for? There are various scenarios where it may be appropriate to flag a malicious website, such as for hosting inappropriate content, adopting illegal practices, or perpetrating online scams. Here’s a closer look at these different cases.
Bending advertising rules
When browsing Google search results, users often encounter the term "Ad" next to the first few headlines. This occurs because some sites pay to be promoted by the search engine giant through its AdWords program. Although this practice is completely legal and legitimate, it can be abused by less reputable websites - particularly those that charge high prices for things that should be free or much less expensive, such as visa and passport applications.
In certain cases, it may be appropriate to report these malicious websites for promoting misleading or false information. To do so, use the form at the Feedback on AdWords Ads page. Simply fill out the form and choose the reason for the complaint.
Fraud
Some sites contain misleading information, but others perpetrate blatant scams that need to be reported to prevent unsuspecting web users from becoming victims. If you encounter a website that makes grandiose get-rich-quick claims or sells items at prices that are just too good to be true — often a sign of counterfeit products — you can report it. Some useful sites for reporting websites include Netsafe (New Zealand), e-Report Centre (Hong Kong), National Cyber Security Centre (UK) and eCrimes (UAE).
Phishing
Phishing is one of the most common forms of online criminal activity. These scams involve fake websites designed to look like trustworthy sites, with the intention of tricking victims into revealing personal or financial details. To report a scam website to Google, use the Report Phishing Page to enter the URL and any relevant details. It’s also important to stay vigilant when using the internet to avoid being duped by fraudulent websites and inadvertently sharing personal details.
Infringing copyright
The internet is full of stolen and copied content, and while this content may not appear on malicious websites, it’s usually appropriate to report a website that appears to be in breach of copyright. This might include sites that use images without permission or attribution or distribute full movies and books without permission from the copyright holders. As such, it’s crucial to report a website that infringes on copyright to protect intellectual property rights.
Users can simply try to ask the site owner to remove the content. To find out who hosts the website, go to who.is and enter the URL. The hosting company is listed under the registrar info. Run a simple search on the company name to find contact details. If the owners don’t comply, which can often be the case, try contacting the web hosting company.
Indecent or compromising content
There are numerous types of content that may be considered indecent or compromising and are also illegal. This may include child pornography and revenge porn, which involves someone posting intimate or explicit content of their former partner online. In many jurisdictions – including the EU – this type of content is explicitly or implicitly illegal. As such, it’s important to report a website that hosts this type of content. Users can ask Google to remove this kind of content from search results via its dedicated page. Most countries also have dedicated online forms to report inappropriate content, such as the eSafety Commissioner in Australia, Department of Internal Affairs in New Zealand, Hong Kong Police Force e-Report Centre, and ThaiHotline in Thailand.
Encouraging terror activities or hate
If you watch the news, you're no stranger to the role the internet plays in modern terrorism. The internet is used by terror groups all over the world to recruit, plan, and incite heinous acts. Users who encounter anything that looks like it could be terror-related should report it to the appropriate authorities. In the UK, this type of online activity can be reported to the Home Office, or MI5.
More broadly, hate speech is rife on the internet, and in some cases, it may also become necessary to report a malicious website that facilitates this. In the UK, the government has a online reporting service for hate crimes that covers online abuse, while the eSafety Commissioner has responsibility for this in Australia.
How to report a website
So, how exactly can you report a website? To file a complete report that has the most chance of success, it’s essential to first gather details about the malicious website and its content.
Here’s what to do, step by step:
- Take note of the website’s address.
- Document the issue – take screenshots and make notes of the scam or fraud, inappropriate content, illegal activity, or infringements; include dates and times where possible.
- Write a detailed description of what’s wrong with the website, including any harmful consequences – this might include how you found the website, what actions were taken, non-payment of royalties from copyright infringement, unexpected credit card charges, or instances of identity theft.
- Note any pertinent information about the website, including its owner and hosting provider.
- Gather and log any communication with the website/owners, including emails and messages.
Once you have all the above information, you’re ready to report a website. There are many methods for how to report a website, depending on the jurisdiction and the specific issue. Below are reporting guidelines for some of the most popular online platforms.
To report a malicious website to the Google Safe Browsing team:
- Visit Google Safe Browsing
- Enter the website’s address
- Submit any additional information
- Click “Submit report.”
Google also offers specific reporting forms for different types of complaints, so users can:
Microsoft
Users who want to report a website to Microsoft can do so on the Microsoft Security Intelligence page.
- Navigate to the page
- Enter the website address in the relevant field
- Choose the specific issue, such as “phishing” from the dropdown list
- Select the website’s language
- Submit the report
Governments or local law enforcement
Most governments have online tools to help residents report malicious websites or illegal online content. Some are general and can be used in various scenarios, while some are dedicated to specific issues, such as fraud or hate crimes. Below are some useful country-specific options.
- Action Fraud (UK)
- eSafety Commissioner (Australia)
- Europol – illegal content (EU)
- Europol – cybercrime (EU)
- Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (Hong Kong)
- ThaiHotline (Thailand)
- Netsafe (New Zealand)
- eCrimes (UAE)
- Cyber Crime Portal (India)
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (USA)
- Report a Cybercrime (South Africa)
Instagram or Facebook
Meta’s two major social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook, allow users to report inappropriate or illegal content – and copyright infringements – across posts, stories, messages, and chats. There are also special reporting procedures for certain situations, such as “revenge porn”, impersonation, or harassment.
In general, to report a post, story, profile, or message, you’ll need to take the following steps:
- Navigate to the relevant content (post, story, message, photo, etc.)
- Look to the top of the post for the ‘…’ in the menu
- Click ‘report’
- Choose the reason for filing a report
- Submit the report
Copyright infringement on Instagram and Facebook can be reported in several ways, including:
- Dedicated in-platform forms
- Brand Rights Protection – for violations of trademarks and copyrights or reporting counterfeit products
- Designated agents with the United States Digital Millennium Copyright Act
It’s important to note that only the copyright owner – or an authorized representative – can file a complaint. You’ll need to provide complete content information and a full description of the alleged infringement with supporting evidence.
For more details on different reporting scenarios, visit Instagram or Facebook.
Reporting through web hosts
Many web hosting services, including GoDaddy, BlueHost, and Wix, have dedicated portals for anyone wishing to report a website. Below are the specific reporting procedures for each host.
GoDaddy
- Visit the reporting portal
- Choose the reason for reporting and visit the specific site
- Fill out the required information, including user details, website address, and details of the complaint
BlueHost
- Visit the reporting portal
- Enter your details
- Enter the domain being reported
- Select the reason for reporting from the dropdown menu
- Add any additional comments or supporting documentation
- Click ‘report abuse’
Wix
- Navigate to the reporting portal
- Select the reason for reporting and visit the specific reporting site
- File the complaint using the chatbot, which will issue prompts for information such as user details, website address, and supporting evidence
Frequently asked questions
Can you report a website?
Yes, anyone can report a website for various infringements, such as illegal content, inspiring hate speech, counterfeit products, or scams. However, it can require a lot of time and energy to complete the reporting process, and the website may not be taken down immediately.
How to report a website
First, identify why you need to report a website – is it displaying inappropriate or copyrighted content, or perpetrating scams or frauds? Second, collect all the necessary information, including the website address, and document as much of the issue as possible with screenshots. Third, figure out the best place to report the site – it might be Google, a national agency, or the site’s web hosting service, for example. Finally, complete all the required steps to file the complaint.
Can you report websites anonymously
Most reporting services will require users to provide their details, including names and email addresses when filing a report about a website. In these cases, it’s not possible to remain anonymous. However, in some situations, it may be possible to file the complaint without providing personal details.
What happens when you report a website?
After you report the website, the relevant authority will launch an investigation to determine whether the complaint is valid. This may be a lengthy process, and they may contact you for further information or simply issue a finding. If they decide the complaint is valid, they may remove the content or website in question.
Related Articles and Links:
Top online scams and how to avoid internet scams
Identity theft prevention tips for Facebook users
Phishing Emails: How to Recognize and Avoid a Phishing Email
Related Products and Services:
Kaspersky Premium Antivirus
Kaspersky Antivirus Software
Kaspersky Endpoint Security Solution (for Business with anti-phishing functionality)
