I keep getting unusual traffic alerts from Google every time I search, and it's getting really frustrating. I've scanned my computer several times and found no malware. There's another device on my network, but even when I turn it off, I still get the annoying CAPTCHA. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this?
4 Answers
It’s possible that your IP has gotten flagged somehow. I’d recommend contacting your ISP and asking for a new IP address. Sometimes that's all it takes to resolve these issues!
If you're using a VPN, that could definitely be the culprit here. Disconnecting from it might help clear up these alerts.
Definitely check if you have a VPN active. That's a common reason for these unusual traffic messages.
Have you checked if you're using any VPNs, proxy services, or maybe Apple's Private Relay? Sometimes, browser extensions or apps that aren't trustworthy can route traffic through your computer, causing these issues. Most often, this happens because your IP address is shared with many users on the same VPN, and some might be sending spam or doing other questionable things. Worst case, your device could be infected and turned into part of a botnet, causing automated searches without you knowing. Might be worth looking into!
I don't use any VPN or proxy. I turned off all add-ons, and my IP isn't shared. I've run a ton of scans and didn’t find anything weird. I’ve used tools like TCPView and Wireshark, and there are no suspicious connections.
How exactly does an IP get flagged? Is that common?