How to Configure SiteLock SMART Scanner

SiteLock is a cloud-based security service that scans websites for malware and vulnerabilities. It offers protection against threats like hackers and DDoS attacks, ensuring website safety and uptime. SiteLock also provides solutions for website acceleration and performance improvement.

The SMART (Secure Malware Alert and Removal Tool) is integral to the Essentials, Prevent, Prevent Plus plans designed to enhance website security. It actively scans the website's file structure to identify and eliminate malware. This scanning occurs continuously for those subscribed to the and Prevent Plus plan, ensuring round-the-clock protection. Upon subscribing to any of these plans, the SMART feature is typically configured automatically, facilitating ease of use and immediate protection.

However, in certain circumstances, such as migrating your website to a different server, you may need to reconfigure the SMART scanner manually. This ensures the tool functions optimally, and safeguarding your website against malware threats even after significant changes to its hosting environment.

If you need help preventing malicious traffic from accessing your website, including bad bots and known malicious IP addresses, check out our guide on configuring the SiteLock TrueShield Firewall.

• Configure SiteLock SMART Scanner
  • Step 1 - Launch SiteLock Dashboard
  • Step 2 - Configure SiteLock SMART
• Summary

Configure SiteLock SMART Scanner

To configure the SiteLock SMART scanner, specific steps must be followed to ensure the tool is properly set up to continue providing its protective measures.

Step 1: Launch SiteLock Dashboard

• If you purchased the SiteLock services through us, follow the steps below:
  1. Log into your Bluehost Account Manager.
  2. On your account homepage, click Hosting on the left menu.
  3. Next, click the SETTINGS button for the website you want to set up SiteLock.
     
  4. Go to the SECURITY tab and scroll down to the SiteLock tile.
  5. Click the LOG INTO SITELOCK button to access your SiteLock dashboard.
     
• If you purchased the service directly from SiteLock, you can go to sitelock.com and click the LOGIN button at the top right-hand corner.
  • The username will be the email address you used to sign up for the service.
  • You may need to request a password reset if you cannot sign in.

Step 2: Configure SiteLock SMART

1. Once logged into your dashboard, you will get the SMART Configuration pop-up window. Click on the Configure button to proceed to the setup. 
   
2. Next, the SMART Wizard appears. Type your FTP Host, FTP user, and password to connect to the server. Click the Test Connection button.
   
3. Once connected, select the file directory of your website's files. Next, click the This Is It button.
   
4. Choose if you want the SMART Scanner to remove malware automatically. 
   

   By default, this SMART setting is set to No, just warn me.
   But you can opt to select Yes, automatically remove the malware found.

5. Click the Save button.

Summary

Learning how to configure SiteLock SMART Scanner manually involves a straightforward process. You must access the SiteLock Dashboard via Bluehost Account Manager or the SiteLock website. Configuration requires logging into the dashboard, where a configuration pop-up will guide you through connecting to your server using FTP details and selecting your website's file directory. You can enable automatic malware removal or opt for alerts only. The final step is saving the configuration to ensure continuous protection.

The SMART tool is essential for maintaining website security by detecting and eliminating malware. It supports ease of use through automatic setup. Still, the manual configuration also offers flexibility for situations like server migrations. This ensures that websites remain protected under varying circumstances, maintaining the integrity and security of the user's online presence.