I keep scripts from Google, Facebook and Twitter (as well as all sites I don't need to view the page/video/Flash content - especially data-mining companies like alexa) blocked. That has stopped (or nearly stopped) the redirection problems I had last month. Google are the worst offenders and I permanently block google-analytics.com and googleadservices.com

When I need to view a Google video, I "Temporarily allow" the particular object, rather than allowing the whole page. It stops most of the unwanted crap they throw at us and, I suppose, cuts down on bandwidth and Internet congestion. (Perhaps one reason that I haven't experienced as many problems as some have here?)

I also clear cookies and Internet cache regularly.

The IXQuick search engine you recommended, Tracyanne, is very good but doesn't deliver the same quality of results that Google does. Most video searches yield results from the same web site (blinkx.com).

Some people might not know that you do NOT need to allow scripts or cookies from Google in order to use their search facility - but you do need to allow cookies (but not scripts) for 'unfiltered' or 'strictly filtered' searches.

I have found that since I blocked Google scripts, I am no longer redirected to google.co.uk, but can now have google.com as my home page. Due to Google's policy of recording every IP address, it still gives the option "Go To Google UK", though, under the search box. I'm beginning to dislike Google as much as, if not more than, I dislike Microsoft. They are both like cockroaches - everywhere, and an absolute bastard to get rid of once you have them.

John