Google search thinks I'm a robot?

Question

Level 1

17 points

Google search thinks I'm a robot?

This is the second time I've had this happen to me. Whenever I type something into google search I'll be redirected to a page that says:

"To continue please type the caracters below, (and it has a CAPTCHA for me to solve)

About this page

Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network. This page checks to see if it's really you sending the requests, and not a robot. "

Then it has my ip address.

When I click the "why did this happen" link I get th following message:

"This page appears when Google automatically detects requests coming from your computer network which appear to be in violation of the Terms of Service. The block will expire shortly after those requests have stopped. In the meantime, solving the above CAPTCHA will let you to continue to use our services.

This traffic may have been sent by malicious software, a browser plug in or a script that sends automated requests. If you share your network connection ask your administrator for help -a different computer using the same IP address may be responsible."

Help.....what does this mean, I've only had this happen twice...

Sony Vaio, Windows 7, iPhone 4 32GB, iPhone 3G 8GB

Posted on Nov 16, 2010 7:39 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

tuula2010

Level 1

4 points

Dec 8, 2010 11:26 AM in response to scorpio985

Hi dear, thank you for posting discussion. i had same thing last night.
I was using my iphone 3G looking up something in google and somehow i got this page saying " Your computer unusual traffic detected" just wondering will it happen again? or some third party watching?
Any way thanks again for started this discussion.

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Answer 2

Dec 9, 2010 2:39 PM in response to tuula2010

How are you trying to perform your google search? By typing the search term in the search window inside Safari? Or by entering www.google.com and enter it there?

Have you tried using the Google Mobile app?

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Answer 3

Dec 30, 2010 1:14 PM in response to scorpio985

I disagree that this question is answered. I've had this issue three times with my iPhone 3GS (running ios4) using the 3G network, not wifi.

Its is very difficult to find any relevant information on this somewhat serious issue. Moderators aren't touching this topic on this site, and google continuously says the same thing "you're violating our terms of use".

The fact is, this happens on both the goggle app, and safari. Clearing the cache and cookies on the iphone is not a solution. It just seems the block is lifted after a long period of inactivity on google.

This is frustrating because anytime theres an issue with third party software, these forums still try to assist before wiping their hands of the issue. But for this, there is not attempt made to seek the cause.

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Answer 4

wjosten

Level 10

95,345 points

Nov 16, 2010 7:52 AM in response to scorpio985

Do you get that message using WiFi in the same place? If so, the router(or computer on the network) could be infected, sending automated search traffic, by proxy, through the network. This can happen anywhere.

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Answer 5

Nov 16, 2010 9:25 AM in response to scorpio985

This is new from Google. And it's not unique to the iPhone. From my laptop, I am now being asked to verify I'm a real person when using Google. So, this question, should be directed to Google as it has absolutely nothing to do with your phone or Apple......

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Answer 6

varjak paw

Level 10

178,990 points

Dec 30, 2010 1:38 PM in response to kevinknutson

Many people, using many systems (desktop, laptop and smartphone, on multiple provider networks), are reporting in the various forum the same issues over the last month or so. So this is not an iPhone-specific issue.

If you have any of the several Gmail-oriented apps, that may be a factor and you might try disabling that app and see if eventually the messages go away and don't return. Restart your iPhone after deleting (probably worth trying even if you don't have Google apps). And of course if presented with a CAPTCHA prompt, you need to respond to it.

If none of that helps, you'll probably need to take this up with your wireless provider.

Regards.

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Answer 7

ajduguid

Level 3

650 points

Dec 30, 2010 3:56 PM in response to kevinknutson

scorpio985, the person that posted the question must have marked it answered so (s)he must have felt it had been answered to at least their satisfaction.

Now I haven't experienced this yet myself but a couple of people have said they've experienced it and that it isn't specific to the iPhone. I'd say the reason why it would be more apparent if you mostly use 3G is because I believe most, if not all, mobile providers use a proxy of some kind. This means Goggle will be seeing a lot of requests appearing from a small block of IP addresses.

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Answer 8

Jan 3, 2011 2:37 PM in response to varjak paw

Fair enough, but clearing cache/cookies, and restarting does nothing. The CAPTCHA only appears once, even if entered correctly.

My experience with google leads me to believe when they say that my device in violating terms of use, I believe them.

If its a provider issue, thats one thing, but the general attitude on the forums has been to look the other way.

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Answer 9

varjak paw

Level 10

178,990 points

Jan 3, 2011 2:49 PM in response to kevinknutson

The general opinion on all the forums in which I found this problem discussed, including in Google's own forums, is that Google is full of it and that these are mostly bogus messages or an overgeneralization based on problems on a given carrier from some users being misapplied to other users. But since I've not experienced the problem myself, I can't say with certainty.

Regards.

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Answer 10

Apr 23, 2016 5:38 PM in response to scorpio985

I Have yet to be able to convice CAPTCHA that I am a human being. These are on websites that are not Google property! The racing game CSR Classic's website for example! There was another game that was sending me to their website for assistance but I do not recall which one now. I recently deleted several games that were impossible to advance in and believe it was one of those, the reason for looking for assistance! The pictures are either A: too blurry or B: wrong(?). The words are always unreadable. The sound(?) is nonexistant. So how can I prove I am not a robot??? The 'report a problem' has yet to provide any assistance or response for that matter!!! Have not been able to find any way to contact them except through the 'report a problem' section at the bottom of the CAPTCHA window which is apparently ignored!

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Answer 11

Apr 23, 2016 5:54 PM in response to Starfyre67

Starfyre67 wrote:

I Have yet to be able to convice CAPTCHA that I am a human being. These are on websites that are not Google property!

CAPTCHAs are used by other companies than Google.

How do you know you really are a human? 😉

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Answer 12

iamsul

Level 1

9 points

Apr 11, 2017 1:31 PM in response to scorpio985

I have the same issue :/ And this happens with various network connections LTE/wifi, on the street, at work and home. It's very strange but I noticed that this is happening with all the apple devices that were bought abroad. Not the official resellers in your country.

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Answer 13

scorpio985 Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 16, 2010 8:14 AM in response to scorpio985

Not using Wi-Fi. Don't currently have a Wi-Fi connection at home. I'm always using 3G.

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Answer 14

Jan 3, 2011 9:12 AM in response to scorpio985

I find this all funny how google becomes anti-competitive with just the iphone right after the FCC makes their claim on freedom of speech.

This is a sign of things to come

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Answer 15

Apr 24, 2016 4:59 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

HI, I apologize for the ambiguity! I was trying to make the same point.

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