General Questions
Can I use Monarx alongside other security services?
Yes. You can use multiple security services as part of a layered security approach.
Monarx runs in the cloud and is designed to use fewer server resources than many locally running security tools. It also aims to reduce false positives and provide fast protection. You can compare solutions to determine which combination best meets your needs.
What is malware, and how does a website get infected?
Malware is malicious code that can compromise your website or its files.
Common causes of website infections include:
Weak passwords.
Outdated plugins, extensions, or themes.
Vulnerabilities in older plugins.
Insufficiently protected user accounts.
Can malware infections happen again?
Yes. Infections can recur if the underlying security weaknesses remain.
Monarx can automatically clean malware as it appears, helping address recurring infections.
How Monarx Classifies Malicious Files
Monarx uses different classifications to determine how files are handled.
Malicious
The entire file is considered dangerous.
Monarx moves the file to quarantine to help protect the website.
Compromised
Only part of the file is infected.
Monarx removes the malicious code while preserving the clean code.
Suspicious
The file is classified as potentially unsafe.
Manual review is required, and no action is taken until the threat is confirmed.
PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application)
This classification can include tools such as Adminer or certain
.htaccessfiles.Monarx does not take automatic action by default for these files, but you can configure your own rules.
How Does Monarx Handle ZIP Files?
Monarx does not open ZIP files during scanning. A ZIP file is removed only if it is already known to be malicious. When files are extracted, Monarx classifies and handles the individual files.
File Cleaning and Quarantine
What Does It Mean When a File Is “Cleaned”?
A cleaned file has had its malicious code removed while its original clean code is preserved, helping the website continue to function.
What Happens to Quarantined Files?
Quarantined files are moved to a separate directory on the server. The directory can be configured, and Monarx does not change the files’ permissions.
What Does “Inactive” Mean in the Monarx Dashboard?
An Inactive status means the file has been removed from the server. After three months, the file is also removed from view in the Monarx interface.
You can filter the dashboard to show only active threats.
Monarx Features
Does Monarx Scan Databases?
Database scanning is not enabled by default and is not a core feature of the product.
Does Monarx Clean Infected Websites?
Yes. According to the product information, Monarx uses a server agent to clean infections in real time through PHP and Zend extensions.
Does Monarx Scan Email?
Email scanning is not currently available. It may be added in the future based on demand.
Users and Access
What Is a “User” in Monarx?
A user is someone who logs in to manage a website, email, or files. For example, this could be someone managing resources in a VPS or dedicated server environment.
Summary
Monarx helps detect and handle website threats through file classification, cleaning, and quarantine. Its behavior depends on the file classification and available features.