There are several reasons why your Chrome browser can change the default search engine to Yahoo. It can be because you accidentally changed the settings, or your computer is infected with malware (browser hijacker) that has changed the settings without your knowledge.
Gone are the days when we used Yahoo as our primary search engine. In fact, most of us have probably forgotten that Yahoo even exists. But why and how did Yahoo suddenly become your search engine on Chrome again?
Let’s take a look at what’s going on and see if we can figure it out.
Contents
What is a Browser Hijacker?
A browser hijacker is a type of malware that can take over your browser and change your settings without your permission. One of the most common things that these malicious programs do is change your default search engine to a different one, usually a less popular one like Yahoo.
These programs are generally bundled with other free software that you download from the internet. They are often not adequately disclosed to you during installation, and you may not even be aware that they are running on your computer.
You can also get browser hijackers by clicking on malicious links or website ads. These links can often look like normal ads, but they will redirect you to a different website that may install a browser hijacker on your computer.
Browser hijackers can make your life very difficult by constantly redirecting your searches and bombarding you with annoying ads. They can also be difficult to remove since they usually come bundled with other software.
How Do I Remove a Browser Hijacker?
Browser hijackers can be difficult to remove since they are usually combined with other software. The best way to remove them is to use a malware removal tool like Malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes is a powerful anti-malware program that can detect and remove browser hijackers and other types of malware from your computer. It is important to run a scan with Malwarebytes to remove all the malicious software from your computer.
Once you have removed the browser hijacker, you should change your passwords for all the accounts that you use on your computer. This is to prevent the hijacker from stealing your passwords and using them to access your accounts.
You should also consider resetting your router to factory defaults. This will remove any malicious software that might be running on your router and cause it to redirect your traffic.
How Do I Prevent Browser Hijackers?
The best way to prevent browser hijackers is to be careful when you install free software from the internet. Always download from trustworthy sites and read the terms and conditions before you install anything, and be sure to uncheck any pre-checked boxes.
You should also install a reputable anti-malware program like Malwarebytes and run regular scans with it. This will help to remove any browser hijackers or other malicious software that might be installed on your computer.
How Do I Revert Back to My Previous Search Engine?
If you want to revert back to Google as your default search engine, you can do so by following these instructions:
1. Open Chrome and click on the menu icon in the top-right corner.
2. Click on “Settings” and then scroll down to the “Search engine” section.
3. Under the Search engine used in the address bar”, click on “Google”.
Done! Close the Settings tab, and you will now see Google as your default search engine.
You can also remove Yahoo from Chrome easily by tapping “Manage search engines and site search”, the second option on the search engine settings page. There, you will find Yahoo as well as other search engines. Simply press the three-dot icon beside Yahoo and select “Delete”.
Conclusion
Browser hijackers can be very annoying, and they can make it difficult for you to use your computer. However, you can easily remove them using malware removal tools like Malwarebytes.
We hope this article has helped you to understand why Yahoo is your search engine on Chrome and how you can remove it. Thank you for reading!