You're at your computer working, busily conducting Google searches, and you see the following error:
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Unusual traffic from your computer network
Alternatively, you might see this message:
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Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network.
What's going on? These errors surface when Google detects that searches are being sent from your network automatically. It suspects these searches are automated and might be the work of a malicious bot, computer program, automated service, or search scraper.
Try using DuckDuckGo instead of Google.
Don't be alarmed. Getting this error doesn't mean Google is spying on you and monitoring your searches or network activity. It doesn't necessarily mean you have a virus, especially if you're running one of the best antivirus software programs.
There is no long-term impact on your system or network from these "unusual traffic" errors and there's often a quick and simple fix.
Getting past this error is likely a simple process, and the solution depends on what was causing the error in the first place.
Perform the CAPTCHA
If you know you were conducting high-frequency Google searches, this error message is normal. Google will present a CAPTCHA code on the screen for you to fill out. Reassure Google that you're a real person and that you're not abusing its network, and go about your searching business.
Hold off on making more manual Google searches for a few minutes to widen the gap for another "unusual traffic" error to occur.
