Google result different
Hi, I am trying to figure out why Google is showing up different on my computer now. If I put in a search, like lets say "Clint Eastwood" I used to get a robust page with nice options on the side. Also if I went to images for that search I would get a nicer set of option and each image would expand. Now when I search Google in any browser I get this yellowish frame around all my Google stuff at top and results are there but in images for example each page seems different. I am very computer savvy and have look at the possibility of something changing my search like spyware or things like that. There are also some signs that Google is providing me with results as if I am in the UK. Can someone suggest something that might be causing this? Thanks
Chosen solution
Let's investigate the certificate issues.
Have you updated your security software recently? Kaspersky, AVAST 2015, ESET, Microsoft Family Security, and BitDefender include a feature which scans your web traffic for threats. For HTTP this is seamless, but for HTTPS, the software needs to present a fake certificate to Firefox.
Unfortunately, the same symptoms can be caused by malware. To help sort it out, you can inspect the issuer information for the certificate. For example, if you have made an exception for google.com, go ahead and click the padlock icon (or gray ! triangle, if there is mixed content) in the address bar, then More Information, then View Certificate. What do you see under "Issued by"?
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Could you compare results in a private browsing window (Ctrl+Shift+p)? This will not use the cookies from your regular Google session, in case those are influencing the results. If the private window looks good, try clearing the Google cookies in your main window. While on a Google page, you can use either:
- right-click and choose View Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
- (menu bar) Tools > Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
In the dialog that opens, you can remove the site's cookies individually.
Then try reloading the page. Any improvement?
Regarding country-specific results, usually that does not occur if you are using the .com site. If you are being redirected to the .co.uk site, this can indicate that you are connecting through a proxy and Google is detecting your IP address as originating in the U.K.
Also, as a general comment, Google does sometimes run tests with a random sample of users, showing them a different UI and seeing what happens. Usually clearing your cookies will escape the test.
Thanks. No improvement same page seems to appear. I am getting a lot of confirm security certificate errors. It is not my IP im sure because another computer on my network show same IP and Google is fine. Thanks for all suggestions.
Chosen Solution
Let's investigate the certificate issues.
Have you updated your security software recently? Kaspersky, AVAST 2015, ESET, Microsoft Family Security, and BitDefender include a feature which scans your web traffic for threats. For HTTP this is seamless, but for HTTPS, the software needs to present a fake certificate to Firefox.
Unfortunately, the same symptoms can be caused by malware. To help sort it out, you can inspect the issuer information for the certificate. For example, if you have made an exception for google.com, go ahead and click the padlock icon (or gray ! triangle, if there is mixed content) in the address bar, then More Information, then View Certificate. What do you see under "Issued by"?
Hi again, thanks for the great help I seemed to get there via your last post. Some type of a proxy setting creeped in to my browser configurations. I am experienced with this and should have caught it. After taking advice from your last post I began installing Norton(cause I already have a membership) which I never use on this computer, and instantly it revealed it. The second I removed it in another browser(another because I new the steps) it went to the Google pages I am used to and enjoy. I will figure how to correct this in Firefox because that is my browser preference. Thanks a great deal!
http://ghostmedia.com/support/firefox/141116/nortshowprox.jpg
Firefox usually follows your Windows/IE settings, but could be customized here:
"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced > Network mini-tab > "Settings" button
The default is "Use system proxy settings" but you also could try "No proxy" if necessary.