To configure SiteLock SMART Scanner, select the site in your SiteLock dashboard, set up server access for its files, add database access if your package includes SMART Database Scan, then choose scan frequency and malware handling in Scanning Preferences. The most important detail is selecting the correct website root: a successful connection to an empty FTP folder will not let the scanner see your site.
Before you start
Gather your hosting account’s FTP, FTPS, or SFTP host, port, username, and password—or the SSH key details if you use key authentication. For database setup, have the database host, port, username, password, and database name available if SiteLock cannot discover them automatically. Your site’s administrator, developer, or hosting provider can help locate these details.
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For common platforms, SiteLock’s setup guide points to the site configuration file: WordPress /<website root>/wp-config.php, Joomla /<website root>/configuration.php, and Drupal /<website root>/settings.php. A custom-built site may store connection information in a file such as configuration.php, settings.php, or connection.php. See SiteLock’s server access and database settings guide.
SMART Database Scan and Database Backup availability depends on the products in your SiteLock security package. This guide reflects SiteLock’s help pages accessed October 4, 2026; dashboard labels and available options can change.
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Open the site’s setup or settings
- In the SiteLock dashboard, open Sites and select the correct domain.
- If the site shows Setup, select it to launch the Setup Wizard. If it shows Manage, open it to reach the site’s Security Report and settings.
SiteLock describes the Setup Wizard as the route for configuring products that still need setup. Its dashboard navigation guide covers the dashboard flow; labels may differ as the interface changes.
Configure server access for SMART File Scan
- Open Sites → Manage Website dropdown → Settings → Server Access.
- Choose how credentials are shared. Same Credentials lets products use one FTP account and is the common case SiteLock describes. Choose Separate Credentials when SMART File Scan, Database Scan, or Backup needs different connection details.
- Select FTP, FTPS, or SFTP, then enter the host, port, username, and password. SiteLock calls SFTP with SSH its most secure option; that is SiteLock’s statement, not an independent comparative security assessment.
- If using SFTP key authentication, select the SSH key option, generate and download a key, install it on the server, then return to SiteLock to continue. SiteLock says a key is commonly installed at
/home/user/.ssh/authorized_keys, but the correct path depends on the hosting account. - Select the website root directory—the folder containing the site files. If offered, set the maximum simultaneous connections and maximum download time. SiteLock says three simultaneous connections can speed scanning but may cause errors when a host limits connections. If the host rejects connections, reduce concurrency; multiple protected sites can increase the total connection load.
- Save and continue.
For the detailed server setup sequence, consult SiteLock’s configuration guide.
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Same or separate credentials?
| Choice | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Same Credentials | One FTP account can provide the access needed by the products; SiteLock describes this as the common case. |
| Separate Credentials | Different products need distinct FTP connection details or access scopes. |
Configure SMART Database Scan
- Open Sites → Manage Website dropdown → Settings → Database Settings.
- Select WordPress or Joomla when applicable. SiteLock says it should locate the configuration file automatically for these platforms. Enter the full website URL, including
http://orhttps://andwwwif the site uses it. - For Other, enter the database host, port, username, password, and database name. SiteLock says
localhostoften works when the web and database server are the same; otherwise, use the database server IP. Its guide lists 3306 as MySQL’s default port. Enter a different port if your server uses a custom one. - Save the settings. If your package includes Database Backup and you are configuring it too, open its tab, check the imported connection strings, choose the backup frequency, and save.
These database options are described in SiteLock’s server access and database settings guide.
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Choose scan frequency and malware handling
Open the site’s Scanning Preferences. Set the scan frequency, then choose separately for SMART File Scan and Database Scan whether SiteLock should automatically remove detected malware or warn you only. The first setting determines how often scanning is scheduled; the second determines the response to a detection.
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| Handling option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Warn only | SiteLock alerts you about detected malware without automatically removing it. |
| Automatically remove | SiteLock is authorized to remove detected malware automatically. |
Before enabling automatic removal, confirm that your backup arrangements are appropriate for your site. SiteLock documents backup settings—including frequency and exclusions—separately from scanning preferences. See its dashboard guide for the available settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Fix a connection that shows no files or folders
If the scanner connects but the Setup Wizard shows no files or folders to select, check whether the FTP account opens into the actual website root. SiteLock says some hosting control panels automatically assign a newly created FTP user an empty home directory. The connection can succeed while the scanner sees no site files.
Quick Recap
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- Windows Hello Fingerprint Login: Designed for windows hello fingerprint reader compatibility on Windows 10/11 PCs, this usb fingerprint reader replaces passwords with fast one-touch biometric access. Enjoy convenient, secure login through your PC’s built-in Windows Hello system without extra software.
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- Check the FTP user’s home directory or Directory field in your hosting control panel and confirm it points to a location that can access the site files.
- If the account was created with an incorrect, empty directory, SiteLock’s FAQ advises removing and recreating the FTP user with the correct path. It recommends leaving the Directory field blank when creating an FTP user unless there is a specific reason to restrict it, then selecting the site folder in the SMART File Scan Setup Wizard.
- Confirm the FTP user has permission to access the correct folder. SiteLock says no special permissions are required for compatibility. However, restricting the account to only the website document root can limit what a security analyst can inspect if manual cleanup is requested.
- If the correct folder still does not appear, ask your hosting provider, developer, or SiteLock support to check the account path and access. SiteLock’s FAQ covers the empty-folder symptom and FTP-user permissions.
Sources and scope
- Configure SMART Server Access & Database Settings — SiteLock’s setup instructions for server and database access.
- How To Navigate Your SiteLock Dashboard — dashboard setup, site settings, and scanning preferences.
- Frequently Asked Questions — FTP account permissions and empty-directory troubleshooting.
- Business Website Security For Website Protection — SiteLock product descriptions for SMART File and Database Scan.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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