Uncontrolled Generated Internet Traffic
Hi Guys,
We are using a 3rd party internet proxy server at a site for workstations to have controlled internet access.
Over the December period there were extremely high internet usage and traffic through- put on the internet proxy server.
Upon investigation we found thousands of the following URL requests in the log files.
In an attempt to stop the persistant lookup we asked the users to use Firefox instead of IE (not sure if this will stop the occurance)
http://www.google.co.za/webhp HTTP/1.1
Does anyone perhaps know what this URL on Google refers to, and why it would popup thousands of times in the logs?
We are using a 3rd party internet proxy server at a site for workstations to have controlled internet access.
Over the December period there were extremely high internet usage and traffic through- put on the internet proxy server.
Upon investigation we found thousands of the following URL requests in the log files.
In an attempt to stop the persistant lookup we asked the users to use Firefox instead of IE (not sure if this will stop the occurance)
http://www.google.co.za/webhp HTTP/1.1
Does anyone perhaps know what this URL on Google refers to, and why it would popup thousands of times in the logs?
Dave Baldwin
Looks like it might be related to the Google Toolbar or another Google service. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080304152357AA4DT3U
ASKER
Thanks Dave,
I agree. It is quite a tricky one, as we are unable to block all Google traffic in the proxy config.
I wonder how one could prevent these site-visits from pushing up the internet usage?
I agree. It is quite a tricky one, as we are unable to block all Google traffic in the proxy config.
I wonder how one could prevent these site-visits from pushing up the internet usage?
Are you in South Africa? Maybe you can get rid of all the Google Toolbars. They aren't actually needed for anything but feeding Google's marketing machine.
ASKER
We are still experiencing high traffic in IE when inserting the internet proxy settings.
The logs report continuous recurring entries: http://www.google.co.za/webhp HTTP/1.1
When we remove the settings and use Firefox instead, the activity stops and the usage drops to normal.
In IE I am unable to identify any obvious cause, no toolbars, no "add-on's"
I have even tried uninstalling IE and reinstalling. The traffic re-occurs as soon as IE has the proxy settings configured. I guess it must be a 3rd party application using the IE settings?
The logs report continuous recurring entries: http://www.google.co.za/webhp HTTP/1.1
When we remove the settings and use Firefox instead, the activity stops and the usage drops to normal.
In IE I am unable to identify any obvious cause, no toolbars, no "add-on's"
I have even tried uninstalling IE and reinstalling. The traffic re-occurs as soon as IE has the proxy settings configured. I guess it must be a 3rd party application using the IE settings?
Looks like it is a 'redirect' virus or trojan. It is capable of infecting Firefox too. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic309331.html
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
No solution found, using Firefox instead for the time being