7 Steps to Improve Domain Reputation and Minimize Antivirus Detections

Working with domains requires not only technical accuracy, but also a strategic approach. False detections from antivirus tools and search engines can harm your business. This guide will show you how to build a reliable domain management process, focusing on detection removal and minimizing risks in the future.

Solid Foundation

For successful campaigns, it’s essential to properly prepare your domains from the start. Here are the key aspects to focus on:

Choosing the right domain

Factor	Best Practice	Avoid
History	Choose domains with a clean and positive history	Freshly registered domains have zero reputation and, combined with poor IP reputation or neighboring domains, are more likely to be flagged
TLD zone	Prefer: .com, .net, .org	Cheap zones like .xyz, .icu, .top often have poor reputations
Domain name	Use meaningful, readable names	Names like jh27dlw.top resemble DGA patterns, lowering reputation and increasing detection risks

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Connect Google Search Console (GSC)

This is the first and most important step when working with domains. Google warnings can quickly trigger antivirus detections and blacklistings.

Statuses in Google Transparency Report:

• 🟢 Green – domain is safe
• 🟡 Yellow – one or more unsafe pages detected
• 🔴 Red – the entire domain is unsafe (this status causes the red browser warning)

Using GSC signals to Google that the domain has an active, legitimate owner. This increases trust and lets you:

• Get notifications about status changes (yellow/red)
• Submit the domain for reconsideration
• Check the indexing status of your site

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IP reputation

Detections may apply not only to the domain, but also to its IP address.

• Use hosting with a clean IP reputation (check IPs before launch)
• Cloudflare helps reduce detection risks, especially with multiple domains, but always check the IP addresses it assigns

Homepage content

Automated systems and human moderators pay attention to the domain’s homepage. Make sure it:

• Isn’t blank or showing default hosting pages
• Contains:
  • A brief project description (e.g., “Tracking domain for…”)
  • Privacy Policy, Terms of Service
  • Contact information

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Redirect hygiene

Carefully inspect the full redirect chain. Use tools like:

• 🔗 VirusTotal
• 🔗 Google Safe Browsing

Make sure that every final URL in the redirect chain is clean.

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Monitoring

Even a well-prepared domain can get flagged. Regular monitoring helps you react quickly. Use the following tools:

Tool	Description
🔗 VirusTotal	Core detection tool with dozens of AV vendors. Offers a free API for automation
🔗 Google Safe Browsing	Displays Google status: red, yellow, or green. Even yellow can attract further detections
🔗 Yandex Safe Browsing 🔗 Safe Browsing Checker	A trusted system. When flagged, it often triggers detections from other vendors. Removal from YSB is required before others
Manual AV tools	Some antiviruses (Avast, Norton, McAfee, Windows Defender) offer URL check forms via browser extensions. These results may not appear in VirusTotal
🔗 Avast at Chrome web store	Avast extension for Chrome
🔗 McAfee at Chrome web store	McAfee extension for Chrome
🔗 Norton at Chrome web store	Norton extension for Chrome
🔗 Microsoft Defender at Chrome web store	Microsoft Defender extension for Chrome

✅ Always check all domains involved in redirect chains, not just the root.

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Reaction

What to do if your domain is flagged?

• Never abandon detected domains. Even flagged ones can (and should) be cleaned via False Positive Report forms.
• If you skip cleaning old domains, new ones will get flagged more easily due to behavioral patterns and shared infrastructure.

Where to report?

• Go to the antivirus vendor’s website
• Use their false positive form
• Submit:
  • Your domain URL
  • A short description of the domain’s purpose
  • Make sure there’s no harmful content

If multiple detections exist, follow this sequence:

• Start with Google Safe Browsing, this one affects the rest. You won’t be able to dispute other detections until GSB is cleared.
• Next, clear Yandex Safe Browsing, another highly authoritative signal for other vendors.
• Then move on to major antivirus tools: Kaspersky, ESET, G-Data, etc.
• Finish by reporting to minor vendors, many follow the decisions of the larger players.

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Examples of antivirus dispute forms

Antivirus	Link
Avast	www.avast.com/report-false-negative
Norton	www.safeweb.norton.com
Bitdefender	www.bitdefender.com/submit/
McAfee	www.mcafee.com/consumer-support/dispute-detection-allowlisting
Kaspersky	www.opentip.kaspersky.com  www.support.kaspersky.com/contacts
Confiant	support@confiant.com
Sucuri	www.sucuri.net/company/contact-us/
Antiy-AVL	submit@antiy.com
ESET	samples@eset.com  www.phishing.eset.com/en-us/remove
Fortinet	www.fortiguard.com/faq/wfratingsubmit
CRDF	www.threatcenter.crdf.fr/false_positive
alphaMountain.ai	www.alphamountain.ai/contact
CyRadar	www.cyradar.com/contact
Seclookup	www.seclookup.freshdesk.com/support/tickets/new
Avira	www.avira.com/en/analysis/submit-url
G-Data	b2b-support@gdata.co.uk
VIPRE	www.helpdesk.vipre.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Bfore.Ai	www.bfore.ai/support
Lionic	www.lionic.com/reportfp
Webroot	www.brightcloud.com/tools/url-ip-lookup
Sophos	not-spam@labs.sophos.com

Form examples:

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Conclusion

Effective domain reputation management is a continuous process. It requires:

• Careful preparation
• Constant monitoring
• Prompt reaction to issues

By following the steps in this guide, you’ll reduce blocks, save resources, and ensure long-term campaign stability and success.