Reasons your search engine keeps changing to Yahoo
Even though Yahoo is a legitimate search engine, it can be frustrating if it keeps reappearing as your default site when you prefer to use something else. If it keeps happening, it may be a virus quietly working behind the scenes or a few other possible reasons.
Browser hijackers
If your search engine keeps reverting back to Yahoo every time you open your browser, it might be a sign that malware has infiltrated your computer. Browser hijackers, a type of malicious software, take control of your browser and alter its settings to redirect you to specific pages. One type of malware, called the Yahoo redirect virus, specifically targets and redirects your search queries.
So if you keep noticing changes in your browser settings, especially together with slower performance and unexpected pop-up ads, chances are it’s a browser hijacker virus.
Extensions or plugins
If you’ve recently added a new extension to your browser and started noticing that all your searches are being redirected to Yahoo, the extension might be the culprit. Certain extensions or plugins can modify your browser settings.
Even if you don’t remember installing new plugins, you might have done so accidentally. Go through the list of your add-ons and either disable or remove them. If you don’t recognize an extension, delete it immediately because it might be malicious.
Default settings
If Yahoo is set as your default search engine option, it doesn’t necessarily mean your device has been hijacked by hackers, especially if it didn’t happen out of the blue. It might just be that you haven’t customized your settings.
When you download a browser, it usually has a default search engine, which can often be Yahoo or Google Search. If you prefer to use another site, you have to manage search engines manually.
Even if you’ve already set your preferred search engine option, it can change back over time. Software updates or installations can sometimes revert your settings to the default.
Different profiles
If multiple people are using the same browser, that might explain why your search engine keeps switching. Another user profile might have Yahoo set as the default option. If one profile is configured to use the Yahoo search engine and another uses Google Search, switching between profiles can make it seem like your search engines keep changing.
How to remove Yahoo from your browser
It can be quite frustrating if Yahoo keeps appearing as a default option without your consent. Fortunately, you can take steps to remove Yahoo from your browser and restore your preferred search engine settings. Follow these steps to regain control over your browser settings.
1. Run antivirus software to remove potential threats
Before resetting your browser settings, ensure that harmful software isn’t causing changes to your search engine settings. Use reputable antivirus or anti-malware software and run a thorough scan on your computer. This way, you’ll detect and remove potentially malicious programs that may have hijacked your browser settings.
2. Reset the default settings of your browser
Once you’ve ensured that a browser-hijacking virus isn’t wreaking havoc on your computer, you can reset the default settings on your preferred browser and get everything back to normal. The process varies depending on the browser you use.
Google Chrome
Here’s what the process of resetting Chrome browser settings looks like:
- 1.
Launch Google Chrome on your computer.
- 2.
Click on the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner of the browser window.
- 3.
Click on “Settings.”
- 4.
In the left-side menu, select “Reset settings.” You can also paste “chrome://settings/reset” in the address bar to get there immediately.
- 5.
Click on “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
- 6.
Select “Reset settings” in the pop-up menu to confirm.
Resetting your browser settings will clear all cookies and installed extensions, reset the startup page, new tab page, and pinned tabs, and set the search engine back to Google Search. It will not erase your bookmarks, history, or saved passwords.
Firefox
Here’s how to reset the browser settings on Firefox:
- 1.
Open Firefox on your computer.
- 2.
Click the hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper right corner.
- 3.
In the menu, select “Help.”
- 4.
Click on “More troubleshooting information” to access the troubleshooting information screen. You can also paste “about:support” in the address bar to get there immediately.
- 5.
Click on the “Refresh Firefox” button on the right side of the screen. A pop-up will appear.
- 6.
Click “Refresh Firefox” in the pop-up to confirm. You should receive a success message.
Safari
Safari doesn’t have a single reset-all button, so resetting the browser is a little more complicated. You need to clear your Safari history, cookies, and cache separately. Follow these steps to reset Safari:
- 1.
Open Safari on your computer.
- 2.
In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click “Safari.” It should be to the right of the Apple logo.
- 3.
Choose “Settings” (or “Preferences”). The settings menu window will appear.
- 4.
Go to the “Privacy” tab and click “Manage website data.” A new window will then appear.
- 5.
In the pop-up window, click on “Remove all.”
- 6.
Select “Remove now” and click “Done” to close the tab.
- 7.
Click on “Safari” again in the top menu bar and select “Clear history.”
- 8.
In the drop-down menu, choose “All history” and click “Clear history.”
- 9.
Restart Safari, and your browser should be reset.
Microsoft Edge
If you want to reset the default browser settings on your Microsoft Edge browser, simply follow these steps:
- 1.
Open Microsoft Edge on your computer.
- 2.
Click on the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner.
- 3.
Select “Settings” to open the settings tab.
- 4.
Choose “Reset settings” in the left-side menu.
- 5.
Click on “Restore settings to their default values.” A pop-up window will appear.
- 6.
In the pop-up, click on “Reset” to confirm. You should see a message saying “Settings were reset” once the process is complete.
3. Remove suspicious browser extensions or plugins
Browser extensions can sometimes be the reason behind unwanted changes to your default search engine. While most add-ons you’ve downloaded and installed yourself are harmless, you should be cautious of any extensions you don’t recognize. These could be malicious extensions that got on your computer without you even knowing and should be removed as soon as possible.
Go to your browser’s extension or plugin management page and review the installed extensions. Remove or disable the ones you no longer use or don’t recognize. Doing so will eliminate any add-ons that might redirect your searches to the Yahoo site.
How to keep Yahoo from reappearing
Once you’ve removed Yahoo as your search engine, you can take steps to prevent it from reappearing. Here are some measures you can take:
- Keep your operating system and browser updated. Regularly updating them helps you get the latest security patches and reduces the risk of malware attacks.
- Use reputable security software. Using reliable antivirus software helps detect and remove malware that can change your internet browser settings or redirect your search engine.
- Be cautious when downloading files or clicking on ads. Safe web browsing helps protect your system from potential threats. Avoid downloading files or clicking on ads from unknown sources because they can be malicious and lead to browser hijackers like the Yahoo search redirect virus.
- Review and uninstall unnecessary add-ons regularly. Periodically check your add-ons and remove any that seem suspicious or the ones you no longer use to prevent them from causing unwanted changes.
If Yahoo continues to be a problem, knowing how to delete your Yahoo account can also be helpful. By deleting your Yahoo account, you can ensure that any associated settings or potential conflicts are resolved and prevent Yahoo from switching to your default search engine.
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