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Short answer: the alert was a historical Malwarebytes website-blocking event, not proof that the reader’s computer was infected. An archived report says Malwarebytes blocked an outbound HTTPS request from Microsoft Edge to static1.e621.net, which resolved at the time to 148.163.96.42. The event was recorded on August 28, 2022, and does not establish the domain’s current reputation in 2026.
What the original Malwarebytes alert reported
The related e621 community report recorded these details:
| Alert detail | Reported value |
|---|---|
| Hostname | static1.e621.net |
| IP address | 148.163.96.42 |
| Category | Compromised |
| Connection | Outbound HTTPS on port 443 |
| Process | Microsoft Edge |
| Event date | August 28, 2022 |
| Malwarebytes version | 4.4.11.149 |
| Operating system | Windows 10, build 19043.1889 |
This describes a connection Malwarebytes prevented. It does not describe a malicious file found on the computer, and the report does not identify the exact URL path, response content, script, payload, or detection rule involved.
What was blocked?
e621.net is the main website. static1.e621.net is a separate subdomain used for static resources such as images, scripts, stylesheets, or other page assets. The browser process—Microsoft Edge—requested a resource from that host, and Malwarebytes blocked the outbound connection before it could complete.
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That is different from finding malware stored locally. It is also narrower than saying that all of e621, every page, or every visitor was malicious.
What “Compromised” means here
In this context, “Compromised” should be read as Malwarebytes’ website or destination reputation classification at the time. It may have reflected a concern about the host, its IP reputation, content served from it, shared infrastructure, or a suspected change in the resource. The available report does not establish which explanation applied.
The label does not automatically prove that:
- malware was installed;
- the visitor clicked a malicious link;
- the e621 account was hacked;
- the entire e621 domain was malicious;
148.163.96.42is permanently unsafe; or- every visitor received malicious content.
Why a static asset host might trigger a warning
A legitimate page can depend on a separate static-content host. Security software may block that host if, for example:
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- the host or shared IP had a poor reputation;
- a resource was altered or served unexpectedly;
- a third-party resource was injected;
- the IP had previously been associated with malicious activity;
- a reputation entry was too broad or outdated; or
- the infrastructure served content for multiple services.
These are plausible explanations, not confirmed findings about this incident. The archived report does not say what caused the classification.
Does the alert mean the computer was infected?
No—not by itself. A blocked outbound web request is a preventive security event. It indicates that Malwarebytes stopped a destination it considered risky; it is not equivalent to a confirmed local infection.
Investigate more urgently if the event coincided with an unexpected executable or archive download, repeated redirects, fake browser-update prompts, unusual login requests, newly installed extensions, unexplained system changes, or a separate antivirus detection involving a local file.
If none of those occurred, the event is more consistent with a blocked web request than with proof of infection. Do not reinstall Windows or reset every password solely because this alert appeared. Change passwords if there is evidence of phishing, credential theft, or suspicious account activity.
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What to do when the warning appears
- Keep protection enabled. Do not disable Malwarebytes’ web protection globally just to load one page.
- Capture the details. Record the hostname, IP, category, date and time, browser process, Malwarebytes version, page being visited, and whether anything downloaded.
- Do not repeatedly reload the blocked resource. Repeated attempts do not establish that the destination is safe.
- Check for secondary symptoms. Review the browser’s download history, extensions, installed software, and Windows Security history.
- Update Malwarebytes and its components. The archived event involved a 2022 release; current products and reputation data may behave differently.
- Run an up-to-date scan if warranted. A scan is particularly sensible after a download, redirect, fake update prompt, or other suspicious behavior.
Should you allowlist the hostname?
The archived community discussion says that allowing static1.e621.net resolved the problem for at least one user, and that restarting the browser might be needed. This is community troubleshooting, not confirmation of an official Malwarebytes remediation.
If access is necessary and you understand the trade-off, a hostname-specific exception is narrower than disabling protection entirely. Current Malwarebytes products and Browser Guard can use different interfaces and controls, so follow the options shown in the installed product rather than assuming the 2022 menu labels still apply. Malwarebytes describes Browser Guard’s site-specific controls and allow lists on its official product page.
Prefer, where supported:
- an exception for
static1.e621.net, not the entire internet; - a hostname exception rather than a raw IP exception;
- no broad wildcard or unrelated-domain exemption; and
- restoring the protection and removing the exception later if the warning disappears.
Allowlisting means future content delivered from that host may bypass the relevant Malwarebytes website block. Do not create the exception if the site is producing downloads, fake security alerts, credential prompts, or repeated suspicious redirects. In that situation, wait, investigate, or use the vendor’s reporting and support channels instead.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the IP address should not be treated as a current verdict
148.163.96.42 was the IP recorded in the 2022 report. It should not be presented as e621’s current IP or as a current statement that the address is malicious.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →DNS records can change, an IP can host multiple services, reputation databases can change independently of DNS, and HTTPS hostname routing makes the hostname the more precise object for this incident. An IP-based allowlist may also affect more than the intended service.
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Historical report versus current status
The evidence concerns August 28, 2022, Malwarebytes version 4.4.11.149, and Windows 10 build 19043.1889. It does not prove that the same block is occurring in September 2026, that the same IP is still assigned to the host, or that Malwarebytes still uses the same classification.
A current warning should be evaluated using the current hostname, current Malwarebytes components, the exact browser event, and any accompanying behavior. The old report is useful context—not a present-day security verdict.
Practical decision guide
| Situation | Most cautious response |
|---|---|
| One historical or isolated block, no download, no suspicious behavior | Keep protection enabled and wait or update before testing again. |
| The site is needed and only the known static hostname is blocked | Consider a narrowly scoped hostname exception, understanding the reduced protection. |
| Unexpected download, fake update, credential prompt, or repeated redirect | Do not allowlist; scan the device and investigate the browser and account activity. |
| Only one browser shows the warning | Compare extensions, cached content, browser protection, and the exact requested resource. |
| The warning persists after updates | Preserve the alert details and seek current Malwarebytes or site-operator guidance rather than assuming either infection or false positive. |
Bottom line
The archived record shows Malwarebytes blocking an outbound request to static1.e621.net and labeling the destination “Compromised.” It does not show that the reader’s computer was infected or that all of e621 was malicious. Treat the event as a dated website-reputation block, keep protection enabled, investigate downloads or other symptoms, and use a narrowly scoped exception only if access is necessary and the associated risk is understood.
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