Google error, is it just me?

We're sorry...
... but we can't process your request right now. A computer virus or spyware application is sending us automated requests, and it appears that your computer or network has been infected.

We'll restore your access as quickly as possible, so try again soon. In the meantime, you might want to run a virus checker or spyware remover to make sure that your computer is free of viruses and other spurious software.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope we'll see you again on Google.


Anyone else get this when they do a google search?

 

Were you searching for sites running phpbb?

A worm did this for a while, attacked sites using google. So google blocked certain searches having to do with phpbb.

 

Nope, just a regular search, I'm scanning my computer now.

 

Have you recently add a public proxy to your IE settings?

 

Nope, it was working fine, went shopping, came back, did a search and thats what I got. Tried other searches and I get the same thing.

 

Wierd, just started working again.

 

This is a protection Google uses. There were scripts that searched on Google for sites that use PhpBB and used a vulnerability to attack them.

To see the error for yourself search on Google for "powered by phpbb" and click Next to go to the second results page.

 

It is happening to me frequently, as we are using a cron to check our SE positions, and to get some data such as the PR without using the API.

I emailed Planet Ocean about the problem:

"Yes Google did implement a number of new measures originally to stop a virus but also caught a number of search bots at the same time. Obviously it's detecting your bot in some way and it does not appear to be a browser to the search engine.

I don't think it's banned your IP, at least not at that stage but that could happen if the volume of queries is high enough. Sorry I do not know where that threshold is at. I would assume that you'll have to make your bot more compatable with the most recent changes at Google in order to automate your application."

 

check out a application called tor

its pretty awesome for getting around googles api restrictions.

 

Likewise saw it for a spell on routine searches roman1, as you indicate below it simply disappeared after a short time. No clue of what was causing it, but I did see it several times over a period of a few days. Given the security measures I have on board I didn't even remotely suspect issues on my computer, but rather issues with Google itself.

 

I practice safe computing as well, but with 3 kids, I just wasn't sure. At least I know it wasn't me.

 

Nope definitely not you!

 

It happened to me also.. i just install a spyware/ adware remover .. then it goes alrignt again

 

Thanks ShoeMoney, i'll check this out

 

Hmmm..In fact, do you have any URL? Search engines are such a mess nowadays

 

Althought the problem may be caused by local spyware infection or bot/isp blocking, I only have the problem when I access google through html code written into a custom local launch page; if I go to google.com there is no problem. Therefore, it appears that the problem could be a result of search being initiated by a "3rd party referer" being blocked by google (perhaps from only certain isps). Here is the code:

<FORM action=http://www.google.com/search method=get>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">&nbsp;<INPUT
maxLength=255 size=25
value=" " name=q><INPUT type=submit value=Go name=sa ACTION="http://www.google.com/search" METHOD="GET"><o></o></SPAN></P></FORM>

I'm wondering if an adjustment could be made to make it work again.
P.S. If you have WindowsXP and at least 256mb RAM I recommend Microsoft's beta anti spyware to ensure staying adware/spyware free
(don't set it to block all scripts automatically without confirmation notice!).

 

I've never gotten any error from Google, I didn't even know you could get errors.