For the last 24 hours or so, I have been getting the following message when trying to access Google:
We're sorry...
... but your query looks similar to automated requests from a computer virus or spyware application. To protect our users, we can't process your request right now.
We'll restore your access as quickly as possible, so try again soon. In the meantime, if you suspect that your computer or network has been infected, you might want to run a virus checker or spyware remover to make sure that your systems are free of viruses and other spurious software.
We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope we'll see you again on Google.
Curiously, despite the message it is still possible to use Google via the search box that remains at the top of the page. And all the other Google facilities are available. It is just that I cannot get access to my personal home page.
I use F-Secure for virus and spy-protection and it shows no viruses or spyware. Can you explain? Terry Byres
Many search engines block searches that look as though they come from machines and that search for malware. For example, back in january, an article headed MSN Blockades phpBB Searchers, says:
While researching the exploit on Monday, we discovered that Google blocked searches when "phpbb" was combined with "crack(s)", "hack(s)", "vulnerability" or "exploit(s)", returning only its 403 Forbidden page"
-- which is the page you got.
Search engines are, of course, a ready source of malware, hacking information and passwords, amongh other things.
However, if legitimate searches are blocked by one search engine, they will probably work on a different one, so try Yahoo, Dogpile or something else. Although Google is my home page, I often use Yahoo Search, and quite often it produces better results.
