# Google problem

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-problem/494517>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [April 27, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-problem/494517 "2009-04-27T16:53:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-problem/494517/1 "2009-04-27T16:53:11Z")

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I’m getting a 403 Forbidden response when I try to go to certain [blogspot.com](http://blogspot.com) sites. Actually, I think pretty much all. It says:

> [@](#):
>
> … 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.
> 
> If you’re continually receiving this error, you may be able to resolve the problem by deleting your Google cookie and revisiting Google. For browser-specific instructions, please consult your browser’s online support center.
> 
> If your entire network is affected, more information is available in the Google Web Search Help Center.
> 
> We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope we’ll see you again on Google.

Is anyone else getting this or is it just me?

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**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-problem/494517/2 "2009-04-27T17:01:55Z")

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Have you tried clearing your cookies yet?

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**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-problem/494517/3 "2009-04-27T17:07:00Z")

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I cleared them and nothing happened.

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**Author:** ![flex727](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-problem/494517/4 "2009-04-27T18:05:07Z")

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[http://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/](http://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/)

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**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-problem/494517/5 "2009-04-27T18:06:22Z")

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Okay, it seems to have been fixed. Maybe clearing the cookies finally worked?

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**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-problem/494517/6 "2009-04-27T18:08:30Z")

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> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> Okay, it seems to have been fixed. Maybe clearing the cookies finally worked?

Maybe there was a real bot getting access via your ISP — likely by being on an infected computer — and Google blocked a large IP address range which caught you as well.