Google gets overprotective, flags whole internet as malware

Jamven · Jan 31, 2009

Google has some built in tools that will warn you before you click a link that could take you to a website running code that could harm your computer. And usually that's a good thing. But this morning Google started returning warnings for virtually every single search result.

When you conduct a search, you may notice "This site may harm your computer" warnings under the headlines of each search result. And when you click a link to visit a site, there's a good chance you'll see a window warning you to go back to where you came from.

Google seems to be in the process of correcting the error. A few minutes ago we couldn't find a link that wasn't labeled as malware, but now a search for Download Squad fortunately comes up clean. But when a company as large and influential as Google indiscriminately labels sites as dangerous, even for just a few minutes, it's not pretty.

Update: And the crisis seems to be over. But it lasted long enough for Download Squad reader Kewal Shah to capture a funny image which you can see after the break.
Click to expand...

Sorry guys, but I lol'd. Figured I give everyone a laugh for the day

JWH · Jan 31, 2009

This shit made me rage pretty hard at google, but I lol'd at the caption. The irony is:awesome

AntiChrist · Jan 31, 2009

Pretty funny. I never really pay attention to that little link on the bottom anyways.

JWH · Jan 31, 2009

Problem is that google wouldn't let you actually access the page. Well, you could by typing the adress, but it's a massive time loss.

carl · Feb 1, 2009

Human error, it happens.

Jamven · Feb 1, 2009

While the last bug was kind of humorous, the following bug could be a cause for concern for some

Red Alert! Google warning errors persist in Gmail

While the more glaring problem of flagging the entire internet as untrustworthy was quickly resolved yesterday, it appears as though the Google bug hasn't been completely crushed underfoot.

I was originally tipped off by our own Christina Clark, who advised our team to check the spam folder for incorrectly flagged messages. Lo and behold, several tips from our loyal readers had been erroneously shuffled in amongst the Viagra ads and messages from hot girls who want to chat with me now.

Not content with crying wolf over reader emails, the Gmail error has spread to our own internal distribution list: even though every contact in the message appears in my address book. This has been going on since yesterday, so it's either not as widespread as the search issue or just not as important. I'd wager the answer is a combination of the two. Google would likely prioritize a few million falsely blackballed search results over a few hundred thousand email messages.

Clarification: the issue does not just cause messages to go into your spam folder. As in the screenshot, it also incorrectly flags some incoming messages as potentially dangerous.

http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/02/01/red-alert-google-warning-errors-persist-in-gmail/
Click to expand...

scaryisntit · Feb 2, 2009

...and here I thought that just happened to me... and I was freaking out so much, too. Gah.

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Google gets overprotective, flags whole internet as malware

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