NETGEAR Armor blocks suspicious and potentially dangerous websites in order to secure your network. With NETGEAR Armor, you need not worry about malicious URLs or private data leaks. The service analyzes the HTTP traffic and blocks websites that support various scams, credit card phishing, fraud attempts, and malware content.
To ensure users have the best protection available on the market, NETGEAR Armor uses the Bitdefender Cloud Services. NETGEAR Armor scans each and every website using cloud-based information and blocks it instantly if found infected.
How does the NETGEAR Armor URL database work?
NETGEAR Armor uses Bitdefender technology to intercept all outgoing Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) requests.
Bitdefender’s URL status cloud service verifies that these requests do not match any of the URLs stored in a database of unsafe or unsecure websites.
Bitdefender’s database of cyber threats is constantly updated using a combination of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity research. For example, if a new type of malware is reported by a NETGEAR Armor user or cybersecurity researcher, this threat is automatically recorded and that data is used to protect against future attacks.
You are notified every time you try to access a blocked URL. If a website is found to be malicious, NETGEAR Armor blocks access to that URL, and you are notified.
NETGEAR Armor also protects you from various types of malware, downloadable viruses, misleading file extensions, and directory traversal attacks.
What type of URLs will NETGEAR Armor block?
NETGEAR Armor blocks the following types of malicious websites:
Fraud: Fraudulent pages are designed to scam you into paying for nonexistent goods or services. For example, a user might make a purchase on a fraudulent web store for goods that are never delivered.
Untrusted: Untrusted pages exhibit suspicious behavior. For example, an untrusted website might prompt you to download a file when you access the page for the first time.
Malware: Websites containing malware attempt to install software that might harm your devices. Malware can hijack your data until a ransom is paid, delete your data, or even allow cybercriminals to control your devices remotely.
Phishing: Phishing pages have URLs that are similar to popular websites. These malicious websites are designed to look legitimate. Phishing pages attempt to obtain sensitive information such as login credentials or credit card details. For example, a phishing page designed to look like a banking website might steal users’ login credentials. These credentials can be used to access users’ bank accounts.
Miner: Miner pages use the device’s resources to mine for cryptocurrency without that device owner’s knowledge. This process impacts device usability and hardware life span.
PUA (potentially unwanted application): These pages attempt to install a PUA on your device. PUAs might install malware or adware or ask for device permissions that legitimate apps don’t ask for. For example, a PUA might ask to scan your device. After the scan is complete, you are prompted to delete important files or programs.
Why does NETGEAR Armor block certain websites?
NETGEAR Armor blocks access to certain websites that might be harmful to your network and connected devices.
Malicious websites often look legitimate and might trick you into providing personal information, downloading malware, or even sending money. NETGEAR Armor scans websites for potential threats or suspicious behavior. If any risks are found, NETGEAR Armor denies access to that website’s Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
Note: As a general safety rule, we recommend that you avoid opening attachments, downloading files, or visiting links that you don’t recognize.
NETGEAR Armor is blocking URLs that I want to access. What do I do?
NETGEAR Armor automatically blocks suspicious and potentially dangerous websites in order to secure your network.
If NETGEAR Armor blocks a legitimate website that you want to access, you can set that URL as a whitelisted (unblocked) URL in NETGEAR Armor.
Note: Use caution when you decide to unblock a URL. Malicious websites often look legitimate and might trick you into providing personal information, downloading malware, or even sending money.
To unblock a URL in NETGEAR Armor:
1. Launch the Nighthawk app from a mobile device that is connected to your router’s network.
2. Tap Security to access the NETGEAR Armor dashboard.
3. Tap the Threats card. It will display a list of suspicious blocked URLs.
4. Tap on the URL that you want to unblock.
5. Tap Add to Unblocked and confirm the action.
6. Tap OK.
The unblocked URL is shown under the Unblocked category.