AVG Website Scan: Potential Threat – What to do

TL;DR

An AVG website scan showing a ‘Potential Threat’ doesn’t *always* mean your computer is infected. It often flags issues on the website itself, not necessarily your device. Here’s how to check and fix things.

1. Understand What the Scan Means

AVG scans websites for malicious code (like viruses or phishing attempts) before you visit them. A ‘Potential Threat’ warning can mean several things:

• Website is flagged: AVG’s database thinks the website might be dangerous. This could be a false positive, or it could be legitimate.
• Your computer is protected: AVG is preventing you from visiting a potentially harmful site.
• Outdated software: Sometimes, an outdated browser or plugins can make the scan more sensitive and report threats that aren’t actually present.

2. Check if it’s a False Positive

Before panicking, see if the warning is likely a false positive:

1. Reputable Website?: Is this a well-known website you trust (e.g., your bank, a major retailer)? If so, it’s more likely to be a false positive.
2. VirusTotal Scan: Use VirusTotal to scan the website URL. This checks with many different antivirus engines. If only AVG flags it, it’s more likely a false positive.

3. Update Your Software

Outdated software is a common cause of these warnings. Keep everything current:

• Web Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Edge – update to the latest version. Usually found in the browser’s “About” section (e.g., chrome://settings/help).
• Plugins: Flash is outdated and insecure; remove it if you have it. Other plugins (like Java) should also be updated or removed if not needed.
• AVG Antivirus: Ensure your AVG antivirus software has the latest virus definitions. Open AVG, go to “Update” and check for updates.

4. Run a Full System Scan with AVG

Just in case, run a full scan of your computer:

1. Open AVG Antivirus: Launch the AVG application.
2. Select “Scan”: Choose the option for a “Full System Scan”. This will take some time.
3. Review Results: If any threats are found, follow AVG’s instructions to remove them.

5. Temporarily Disable AVG (Use with Caution!)

Only do this if you’re confident the website is safe and VirusTotal confirms it. Disabling your antivirus leaves you vulnerable.

1. Right-click the AVG icon: In the system tray (bottom right corner of your screen).
2. Select “AVG Settings”.
3. Go to “Protection” > “Temporary Disable Protection”. Choose how long to disable it for.
4. Visit the website: If it works, AVG was likely blocking a false positive. Re-enable AVG immediately afterwards!

6. Report False Positives to AVG

If you believe AVG is incorrectly flagging a safe website, report it:

• AVG Website Submission: Visit the AVG false positive reporting page and submit the URL.