The unusual traffic from your computer network occurs when you use any VPN network, Outdated software, and browser extension, and it sends automated traffic to Google search. Then you might get the message that Google has detected unusual traffic in your system. It means that Google is identifying activity that is not common human behavior or a normal pattern. It suspects this anomalous activity was generated by automated software such as malicious scripts or bots.
What is Google Unusual Traffic?
Google sends an alert of unusual activity if it predicts any suspicious behavior in your system. It generates a prompt for entering a CAPTCHA for testing that you are human. Once you put the details correctly, Google redirects you to the intended page you are searching for. Google prevents any malicious activity by adopting this technique.
The prompt message confirms that you are not a BOT, but sometimes your browser may not support reCAPTCHA, or JavaScript may be disabled. You need to check your browser settings and solve the reCAPTCHA puzzle to avoid any malicious activity.
Reason for Google’s Unusual Traffic
The automated traffic is a very common issue faced by users. There are also many software programs that find out the details of web page ranking in Google search and generate unusual traffic. Automated traffic means any traffic generated in a non-human way. You may experience unusual Google traffic for using various software programs on your system unknowingly, such as
Automated Scripts
The keyword research tools or software programs fetch data from Google and generate many automated responses that create unusual traffic from your computer network. This kind of activity reduces the performance of your system and creates a delay in your normal system activity.
Computer Programs
Any outdated software programs flag your connection as suspicious activity. Sometimes the installed VPN or browser gets older and does not have the updated version. Google interprets it as a potential threat and generates alerts of non-human activity.
VPN and Proxy
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and proxy networks create ambiguity by hiding the IP address and make Google detect it as suspicious activity. VPNs reroute the internet traffic to another location, and Google identifies it as BOT-like, or non-human, behavior. Then flag your system as a malicious program.
Search Scrapers
Installation of search scrapers often creates unusual Google traffic and hampers your activity. This kind of tool uses the data from SERP (search engine results pages) and gathers information on URL, internal and external links, and what terms a website uses. Searching scrapers leads to undesired performance of your system and makes Google flag them as potentially harmful objects.
Browser extensions
The specific extensions generate automated queries that manipulate the browser and cause unusual traffic. The poorly designed or outdated browser extension triggers a system error. It sometimes generates automated requests to Google. As a result, Google identifies it as potential malware and stops you from searching or doing any activity.
Dos of a Network Administrator
The system administrators face a typical problem of automated traffic for using the VPN service. Google flags internet service providers or VPN providers as malicious programs and stops them from searching.
- The network administrator should review the IP space before purchasing from an IP broker to avoid any unnecessary blocks to access any major websites.
- Need to monitor the network proactively to track unusual traffic in the computer network.
- The network administrator must set up rules for generating alerts on anomalous traffic load within the network.
Fix Unusual Traffic From Your Computer Network
The unusual traffic from your system can block you from doing usual activity. But you can fix these problems by adopting simple techniques.
Clear Browser Cookies
Clear the browser cookies and cache history, and refresh your browser. The browser stores the previous search data and prevents you from performing new activity. Google uses your cookies to predict any BOT activity or robot program, so clearing history can ease your problem.
Disable VPN
VPNs and proxy servers generate automated responses and create errors. So, temporarily disabling them enables you to perform your system normally. Uninstall VPN from your computer network to avoid Google unusual traffic. IPV6 tunnel service also raises similar types of issues because these types of services block all traffic, making it impossible for Google to distinguish between non-malicious and malicious traffic.
Restart Your Router
The router of your home network sometimes generates unusual traffic from your computer network. Restarting your router or modem by unplugging it from the power source can resolve the issue.
Scan for Malware
Install a malware and antivirus detection program to scan for any malicious activity within your system. Malware sends an automated response and stops Google from giving you access. So, run a full antivirus program to identify malware that is hampering your work without your knowledge.
Final Thoughts
The advancement of bots and automated programs makes Google follow strict protocols for safety and security. Thus, it introduces the CAPTCHA techniques, and you must fill it up to search for the necessary details. Almost every social media platform and e-commerce website enables CAPTCHA tests to make the difference between bots and humans to make a safer place for all. Understanding the causes of unusual traffic from your computer network can help you take preventive steps and keep your browsing experience smooth and secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is Google flagging my computer network as unusual traffic?
Google flags your system as an unusual network when it predicts any bot-like behavior.
Q2. How to get rid of the CAPTCHA issue?
Turn off the VPN or proxy services, clear browser history and cookies, and change web browser to resolve the issue.
Q3. Does unusual traffic indicate a virus attack?
No. Unusual traffic in a computer network does not always mean that your system is exposed to a virus attack. However, some malware programs create unusual traffic to get sensitive information.
Q4. Does the unusual traffic mean my system is hacked?
No. Unusual traffic does not mean your system is hacked, but it indicates there is some existence of malicious activity.
