How can I fix the "Google Safe Browsing Service is unavailable" error?

Question

Level 1

4 points

How can I fix the "Google Safe Browsing Service is unavailable" error?

In Safari preferences, under Security, Fraudulent sites, I get a warning:

"The Google Safe Browsing Service is unavailable. No updates have occurred in 13 days."

I tried to deselect the option, quit Safari, start Safari again, selected again, quit Safari and start again but it is still there.

Any idea how to fix this?

Macbook Pro 15, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Dec 23, 2009 10:39 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Golden Shoes

Level 5

4,020 points

Dec 23, 2009 2:12 PM in response to xsi

Why not just use a different DNS service, like Google?

Quit Safari.
Go to System Preferences > Network > Advanced and add these two sets of numbers at the top of the list:

8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4

Then click Apply Now and quit System Preferences.

Restart your Mac and everything should be fine.

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Answer 2

Dec 23, 2009 7:16 PM in response to Golden Shoes

how important is it just to turn that feature off?? I have read that having it on slows down Safari..

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Answer 3

Dec 23, 2009 8:37 PM in response to powerbook1701

I have read that having it on slows down Safari.

It can cause Safari to hang or crash. I've never had it turned on and it really isn't that important if you exercise appropriate caution before downloading anything. If you use Google's Public DNS service, you get the same benefits, but none of the downside.

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