Why does Google think I'm a virus?

[roomby]

Lately, whenever I go to Google, I am told that my query looks similar to automated software and I'm asked to type in the characters that appear in a picture on the page. I also sometimes get a simple page not found on this server error. Can anyone tell me why this is happening all of a sudden? I use google/ig.co.uk on a PC with Windows XP and IE 6.0.2900. Thanks

[boobesque]

perhaps you have software running in the background which is attempting to hijack your browser. i would suggest a full virus scan and spyware scan. if you still have the problem then you should try the google support forum
http://groups.google.com/group/google.public.s upport.general

[steve208]

I had this problem last week. i ended up downloading all new virus software and did a full scan lots of viruses found!

[roomby]

I've run full virus and spyware scan and can find nothing. Any other suggestions, please?

[boobesque]

try the help forum

[roomby]

Thanks boobesque. I've been to the forum and found a thread there where 16 people, several of them IT managers having the problem across networks, are all in the same boat. No answers, unfortunately! It's frustrating.
Thanks to Steve208 for your answer too.