Introduction
Malwarebytes is a popular anti-malware software that helps protect your computer from threats such as viruses, spyware, and ransomware. It is known for its effectiveness and ease of use, but some users have reported that it is blocking Google searches. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on Google for work or personal use. In this article, we will explore why Malwarebytes might be blocking Google and what you can do to fix it.
What is Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes is a software program that helps protect your computer from malware, which is a type of software designed to harm your computer or steal your personal information. Malware can come in many forms, such as viruses, spyware, and ransomware. Malwarebytes is designed to detect and remove these threats before they can cause harm to your computer.
Why is Malwarebytes Blocking Google?
There are several reasons why Malwarebytes might be blocking Google. One common reason is that Malwarebytes has detected a threat on the Google website or one of its subdomains, such as Google Maps or Google Drive. In this case, Malwarebytes will block access to the website to protect your computer from the threat.
Another reason why Malwarebytes might be blocking Google is that it has detected a potentially unwanted program (PUP) on your computer. PUPs are programs that are often bundled with other software and can cause pop-ups, unwanted toolbars, and other annoyances. Malwarebytes will block access to websites that are known to distribute PUPs to protect your computer from these types of threats.
How to Fix Malwarebytes Blocking Google
If Malwarebytes is blocking Google, there are several things you can do to fix the problem. The first thing you should try is to update Malwarebytes to the latest version. This can often fix any issues that are causing Malwarebytes to block Google or other websites.
If updating Malwarebytes doesn't fix the problem, you can try adding Google to Malwarebytes' exclusions list. This will tell Malwarebytes to allow access to Google and its subdomains, even if it detects a threat. To do this, open Malwarebytes and go to Settings > Exclusions. Click the Add Exclusion button and type in "google.com" (without the quotes). Click OK to save the exclusion.
If neither of these solutions work, you can try disabling Malwarebytes temporarily while you access Google. This is not recommended, as it leaves your computer vulnerable to threats, but it can be a temporary solution while you try to fix the problem.
Conclusion
Malwarebytes is a powerful anti-malware software that helps protect your computer from threats such as viruses, spyware, and ransomware. However, it can sometimes block access to websites such as Google. If you are experiencing this problem, try updating Malwarebytes to the latest version or adding Google to its exclusions list. If neither of these solutions work, you can try disabling Malwarebytes temporarily while you access Google. Remember to re-enable it once you are done.
