Safari Can't Find the Server

[scouser75]

Safari is playing up in a strange way. I'm searching using Google under the Shopping tab. If I click any of the links right at the top, where you can scroll across and see items, I get Safari Can't Find the Server. BUT if I click any of the links in the list below, these open fine.

What's happening?

 

[iStorm]

Do you have some sort of ad blocker installed? The links at the top are actually ads even though they look similar to the links below them. Guessing the ad blocker could be blocking the redirects.

 

[scouser75]

Do you have some sort of ad blocker installed? The links at the top are actually ads even though they look similar to the links below them. Guessing the ad blocker could be blocking the redirects.

Nope. No ad blocker. I do though have Norton Anti Virus installed. Could that cause issues?

 

[hoo-man-b-ing]

I just scanned Norton’s Mac lineup and while I didn’t see anything ad-specific, there are a few things which could be in play.

I think the most likely causes are:
1. You have a Pi-hole or package on your router/network that’s intercepting/blocking the requests. An easy check to make would be to connect to another network (e.g., a phone’s hotspot) and see if you can reproduce it.
2. You have an extension in your browser that’s intercepting/blocking the requests. Check your browser extensions and consider temporarily disabling them.
3. You have a VPN (looks like Norton comes with one) that’s intercepting/blocking the requests. Consider temporarily disabling it to see if that‘s the cause (but only if you’re on a trusted network/fine with other requests bypassing the VPN)

Those are the most likely scenarios, but I’m not sure I’d worry about it too much — not being able to click on an ad is a feature (not a bug) in my book. 😉

 

[scouser75]

Thank you so much for looking into this for me. And for such a top reply

I'll check tonight if any of the above apply here. As for clicking on ads - those are exactly what I need as one of the ads looks as though it has what I want 🤣

 

[scouser75]

Well, it seems somehow the vpn was activated. I've turned it off now and all seems to be well again.

Now just need to suss out the new music and movies folder structures. Things have changed a bit since el capitan!