We're sorry.

computer virus or spyware application is sending us automated requests

[surfgatinho]

'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.'

I've NEVER had a virus or spyware on my PC and run up to date AV and spyware removal software. I also have a good deal of experience in monitoring network traffic and firewall logs.

I find it more than a little insulting that nowhere in this message does it say may or might. Obviously Google do not make mistakes, just everybody else! If I was Joe Public I may well be in a state of panic after being told that my PC was (definitely) infected with some kind of virus/spyware that had taken over my PC.

Strangely enough, even though my PC is apparently infected with a virus and I am effectively banned from Google I only receive this error on page 11 up on one particular search! hmmm, oh well better wipe my OS and start again!

[LeChuck]

You're posting here signifies that you are probably not an average google user. Maybe you're using automated tools that check your position for lots of keywords, thus generating lots of google queries, or maybe you do a lot of allinurl: searches, this seems to trip their automated query detector faster.

Just wait a little while, and don't feel insulted by an algorithm, it's not personal.

It might freak out Joe Public though... But I don't think the average surfer gets this message.

[tedster]

Here's a thread from last month on the topic:
[webmasterworld.com...]

[surfgatinho]

I think the problem is with the search term and not the user - something Google really should get straight before they start telling people their PC is infected with a virus.
The search I was running was for "powered by ....." which I guess may well be popular amongst minor league hackers and script kiddies.
Maybe the response is cached by Google, whatever the reason it's very much out of line to put a message up like this.

For the record I don't use any automated search scripts and have a static IP address

[trillianjedi]

have a static IP address

Anyone else sharing your internet connection?

[surfgatinho]

Anyone else sharing your internet connection?

No - unless the carpenter next door has cracked my 128bit wifi encryption!

[BillyS]

I've seen this too. It doesn't have anything to do with your IP, it's the term that triggers the behavior. I can't remember what I was looking for, but it was quite repeatable for me.

[maccas]

They are not agressive as they were a month or so ago, I was getting that on every second query when I was seaching for php related stuff. Yeah I agree Google should of been more "honest" with the reason.

[g1smd]

It can occur when the URL format of your request matches one that is known to be from spyware or somesuch. See also: [webmasterworld.com...]

[iblaine]

Search for 'inurl:index.php' or 'powered by...', go to page 11 and you will encounter this error. As you have figured out by now, this error is google's way of preventing a virus that spreads by searching for sites.

[jlander]

I get this all the time when I'm trying to collect information about my site (searching for stuff that should not be there).

site:mysite.com -www

Click page 10, then 20, and wham... Google stops me. Try to do it one page at a time and wham... Google stops me again. Its a real pita.

[surfgatinho]

So, Google aren't being entirely truthful here.
It's nothing to do with the users PC, but in 99% of cases the remote PC making the request has some kind of virus.

In this case the message that comes up should say may or might.
Suppose I'd spent the next 3 hours scanning and checking for viruses and spyware. Or worse still downloaded some of those spyware infested bits of software that are supposed to remove spyware.

Also why don't they link to the Microsoft anti spyware download which seems to be the most effective free tool out there?

[victor]

jlander: ditto!

I noticed something similar a few weeks ago, and it is repeatable. For certain [site:yaddayadda] queries the google/virus message always comes on page 5.

That has got to be one weird virus I have if it is detectable by Google only at that point.