SiteLock Alerts: Security Tool or Scare Tactic?

The email that arrives in your inbox looks concerning: “A vulnerability was detected on your website.” It creates immediate anxiety – is your website compromised? Could your visitors’ data be at risk? But before you rush to call the provided number, it’s worth examining these SiteLock notifications more critically.

The Problem with Vague Security Alerts

I recently received yet another SiteLock notification through my hosting provider, HostGator. Like many website owners, I found myself in a familiar but frustrating position: being told there’s a problem without being given any specifics to verify the claim.

The email follows a concerning pattern:

1. It alerts you to a “vulnerability” on your website
2. It provides no details about what this vulnerability actually is
3. It directs you to call their sales line for more information
4. It justifies this lack of transparency as a “security measure”

The Transparency Paradox

The most troubling aspect of these notifications is the complete absence of information that would allow website owners to independently verify the issue. The email states: “To protect your site, we don’t disclose the domain in question in this email.”

While protecting sensitive information is reasonable, this approach creates a problematic situation:

• You can’t know which of your websites has the supposed issue
• You can’t determine what the specific vulnerability might be
• You can’t verify if the alert is legitimate or a sales tactic
• You’re left with only one option: call their sales line

The Business Model Question

SiteLock operates as a security partner for many hosting companies, including HostGator. But this relationship raises questions about incentives:

• Hosting companies receive commissions for SiteLock upgrades
• The only way to learn about the “vulnerability” is through a sales call
• Many users report being aggressively upsold on premium security packages

Better Security Communication Practices

Effective security alerts should:

1. Identify which website has the potential issue
2. Provide general information about the type of vulnerability
3. Offer basic remediation steps for those who want to address it themselves
4. Present premium solutions as an option, not the only path forward

Protecting Yourself (From Scares and Actual Threats)

If you receive a SiteLock alert, consider these steps:

• Independently scan your website using alternative tools like Wordfence (for WordPress) or Sucuri SiteCheck
• Check if your CMS and plugins are up-to-date (as the email correctly suggests)
• Research common vulnerabilities for your platform
• Consider whether the timing aligns with your subscription renewal

The Bigger Picture

The fundamental issue is the information asymmetry these alerts create. In security, trust is essential – and withholding basic information that would allow verification undermines that trust.

Legitimate security services should empower website owners with knowledge, not keep them in the dark to drive sales calls. Until SiteLock and similar services provide more transparent communication, website owners will continue to question whether these alerts represent genuine security concerns or merely marketing tactics.