Are you trying to get to Google?

[Mintox]

I went to google just now and got a page up advising me that Your computer is running software that doesn't allow you to use Google. You're seeing this page because your computer is trying to send you to a website that is pretending to be Google. and i had to take some IP adresses out of a sytem file. i did what it said ( i made a back up of the orginal file) and now i can see google - anyone else had this message or know anyting about it?? cheers.

[anthomson]

Could find no mention of this on any of the security sites but the only thing I can think off is that maybe you have a virus or spyware on your PC that has amended your hosts file to redirect certain URL's like google to new IP addresses (presumably the IP address is now being used to warn you about the redirection). I would perform a full virus scan and use a product like adaware to remove any spyware.

[anthomson]

Have just found a forum thread that might confirm the above :

Hope target=_blank>http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum9/5818.htm >Hope this helps.

[anthomson]

Sorry - when I tested the link it requires a login. However the link describes a problem very similar to yours. Suspected spyware had inserted redirections in to the hosts file for several search engines including google. It suggests using a product called 'HjackThis' to remove the offending spyware (apparently AdAware didn't detect it). I have never used 'HijackThis' but you should be able to find info about it using google - now that you have it back.

[scatman]

Adaware ( http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/ ) will fix your hosts file for you and any other nasties you may find on your pc =)

[phlapp]

I have had something similar recently. Some software had updated my Host files table in windows, so when I tried to connect to Google my host table was resolving the name and sending me to an IP address that mimicked Google. Host tables 'convert' words typed in into IE into IP addresses, and in this case sending you to another server mimicking Google. What their intentions were is unclear, and if you are behind a firewall you should still be relativly safe. Hopefully it was just someone trying to make a name for themselves, and in actual fact it is a very clever way of directing you to servers with out you even knowing. Beware!

[phlapp]

P.S. you won't need your saved backup of the Host file, its not needed.

[Mintox]

Thanks for all your help guys / gals. Updated Norton and got a box up saying that Norton sorted out a problem which i take to be the spy ware and since then its all been A-OK. soz its taken me so long to reply been busy these last few days.