Why has a website that I frequently visit been blocked?

In business, it is common for you to visit the same website day in and day out. It may run an essential function in your business, so you can feel frustrated when the site mysteriously gets blocked.

At Kimbley IT, we run web filtering software on your device, which checks every web page you visit to ensure it is safe and does not breach any policies your business has put in place to protect you from harmful content. This process happens instantly, but if the service is unsure about a website, it will block your access - even if it is a site you visit daily.

There are many reasons why a website you visit regularly can get blocked; these are the two most common.

The website has been altered - maybe it’s been hacked?

Just because the website looks the same every day, changes most likely occur frequently, from new features being added to the underlying code that runs the site.

Of course, if a hacker has been on the site, they will have secretly installed code (that you can't see and the owner does not know about), which in some cases will steal your bank details, infect your computer and more. 

If our system detects changes that it is unsure about, rather than risking your bank details getting stolen or your computer getting infected, it will block your access.

The website has never been seen before.

Approximately 252,000 new websites are created each day worldwide; the real number is probably much higher - it is tough to pin down. Websites that have never been seen before have to be scanned and categorised. The system we deploy uses AI to try to do this on the fly, but sometimes, it simply can't be sure if the site is safe and will block it. When we know you have been blocked, we manually inspect the site to ensure it is safe.

Getting blocked is more common if you deal with small businesses as their websites tend to have less traffic, making it more likely that the AI we use has not seen the website before - so don't be surprised if our system blocks you from accessing a client’s website. It is not that it doesn't want you to visit the site; it is merely that it has never seen the site before and has not been able to categorise it.

How do I regain access?

It is effortless to get access back to a blocked website. On the block page, there is a link you need to click. Once you click that link, an alert gets sent to Kimbley IT. We then check the website; if everything is fine, we can grant you access within a few minutes.

What to do if your business does not have web filtering in place?

If your business does not have a web filter in place, you may be in breach of your duty of care to your staff, and you are definitely putting your company computers and files at risk. 

Web filtering is provided to all our clients at no extra charge. It is part of our IT Support by Kimbley IT package. So, book a video call below and see how we can help you with your company’s IT.