Sophos False Positive & Blacklist Removal

By DrGlenn — USA-based WordPress security specialist· 290+ cleanups across 34 countries· Updated June 22, 2026

Quick answer: Look up your URL at intelix.sophos.com and click Disagree to dispute the category (a validated Sophos support login is required). Allow a few business days to propagate.

Is Sophos flagging your website?

If Sophos is warning visitors about your site — with something like Malware, Phishing/Fraud, Spam URL, High Risk, “Reputation Limit” web block — it means one of two things: your WordPress site really is infected, or it is a false positive left over from a problem that was already fixed. Either way, here is exactly how to get the warning removed.

Step 1 — Confirm it is really a false positive

Before you ask Sophos for a review, make sure the site is actually clean. If you request removal while malware is still present, the flag comes straight back (and some vendors rate-limit repeat requests). Check it two ways:

• Run it through my free Is My Site Hacked? checker for a fast look at injected code, spam and cloaking.
• Cross-check on VirusTotal to see every engine that is flagging you.

If anything turns up, get it fully cleaned first — deleting the visible malware is not enough if a hidden backdoor remains.

Step 2 — Report the false positive to Sophos

Dispute a URL verdict/category through SophosLabs Intelix. Submit here: intelix.sophos.com

1. Go to intelix.sophos.com, enter your full URL and click Analyze.
2. Review the categorization and content analysis.
3. Click “Disagree” to dispute (requires a validated Sophos Support account).
4. Submit your suggested correct category with contact details.
5. Re-check the verdict in Intelix after a few days.

Good to know: Reclassification can take up to 5 business days to propagate (allow ~15 days before re-checking). The “Disagree” option needs a signed-in, validated support profile.

Step 3 — If the warning keeps coming back

A warning that returns after you have been delisted almost always means the infection was never fully removed — usually a backdoor in a theme file, a rogue admin user, or malware stored in the database. That is exactly what I fix. I am a USA-based WordPress security specialist: I remove the infection completely, submit the delisting on your behalf, and harden the site so it stays clean.

Get my site cleaned · See how it works · read my client reviews.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sophos take to remove the warning? Once your site is genuinely clean and you have submitted the request, most reviews clear within a few days — see the timing note above. Submitting while still infected only restarts the clock.

It keeps coming back — why? Because the real infection (a backdoor, rogue admin, or database payload) is still there. A full cleanup stops the loop.

More removal guides: Webroot (BrightCloud), Fortinet (FortiGuard Web Filter), Malwarebytes (Browser Guard) · all vendor guides · full report-link directory.