We often face difficulty in searching through browsers according to our preferences. In some countries, Google Chrome is the default search engine set in the browser, but in some places, you have been asked to set a default search engine option as per your choice. But still, you may face the issue where Google Chrome keeps changing to Yahoo, and we do not know why my search engine keeps changing to Yahoo. Here we will discuss some simple steps that we can follow to fix the issue permanently.
Why Does My Search Engine Keep Changing To Yahoo?
It’s really frustrating when you have a preference for any particular search engine, like Google or Bing, rather than Yahoo, but you are redirected to Yahoo by default without any reason. It might be due to the browser hijacker virus, or we might have made a mistake in resetting our browser. Let’s explore the steps on how to reset your default search engine in any browser, like Google Chrome, Mozilla, Opera, Microsoft Edge, or anything else.
There are some reasons you will be redirected to Yahoo despite selecting the default search engine. You have done the default setting as said above, but still keep on thinking, Why does my search engine keep changing to Yahoo?
Browser hijackers modify browsers.
In some cases, despite setting the default search engine in the browser, you will be redirected to Yahoo or another browser. It is due to the presence of malicious viruses such as the “browser hijacker virus.” Hackers play this trick to redirect the user to gain an undue advantage. They earn revenue from this as users click on Yahoo by default. Though Yahoo is a legitimate search engine, you may still have your own preference over selection.
A browser hijacker is a virus that contains a malicious piece of code. Hijackers use this virus to redirect you to a search engine you have not set as your default browser. Sometimes, it takes you to malicious websites that fetch your sensitive information, such as personal login details, financial data, and much more.
Installation of extensions or plugins
It may be that you have installed an extension or plugin in your browser and have given access to default settings unknowingly, which may result in redirection to Yahoo or any unintended search engine. Some of the malicious plugins change the browser settings and steal the user’s information without your realization. You should go to the list of add-ons and disable it or uninstall it completely to stay away from any malicious attack.
How To Prevent Redirection To An Unintended Search Engine
Setting the default search engine in the browser
- Go to the address bar of the browser first to set the default browser search engine.
- In some cases, your system fixes Microsoft Edge as the default browser, but you can change it from the settings.
- The process of fixing up the default search engine in the browser varies from browser to browser; however, all these steps are simple and easy to apply.
- Normally, on your computer, you have to select the “settings” from the address bar in the drop-down menu.
- For example, in Firefox, you will get the three horizontal lines at the top of the page on the right side. You need to click on that icon (known as the hamburger menu).
- Then choose the “search” tab from the left side panel.
- And then move on to “default search engine.”
- Select the preferred search engine from the available list, such as Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Wikipedia.
Install an antivirus to remove the threat
Sometimes, we unknowingly install potentially harmful software that changes the browser’s default settings. It takes you to the malicious websites that have significant risks of hijacking your system. So, install an antivirus software program to prevent any harmful software from making changes to your default settings. However, you should always select a reputable antivirus program that provides full protection to your system.
Prevent redirection by system maintenance
Browsers sometimes hold the unintended cookies from malicious websites and keep the history. Clear the browser cookies and history periodically, and disable unknown sources of add-ins from the browser settings. Regular monitoring and cleaning of unwanted files keep your system protected from any third-party attack. It will prevent you from redirecting to any unknown websites by changing your search engine preference. Moreover, regular updating of systems is necessary to install the upgraded version of the system that has preventive features against malicious viruses.
Conclusion
So far, we have discussed the reasons behind the commonly raised question in our minds: why does my search engine keep changing to Yahoo? It may be due to a malicious virus or plugin, or due to not setting up default preferences. You can easily set your default search engine preference from the browser settings. But you need to install an antivirus and avoid harmful plugins that may change your system settings without your knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why does my search engine keep changing to Yahoo automatically?
Your search engine may be changing to Yahoo due to a browser hijacker virus or malicious software installed on your system. Certain extensions or plugins can also override your default search engine settings without your permission.
2. How can I reset my default search engine in browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge?
Go to your browser settings → select “Search Engine” → choose your preferred search engine (e.g., Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo) from the available list. Make sure to save the changes.
3. Can browser extensions cause search engine redirection to Yahoo?
Yes. Some extensions or plugins may have permissions to modify browser settings. Malicious ones can redirect your searches to Yahoo or other unwanted search engines. Disable or uninstall unknown extensions to fix this.
4. Will antivirus software help prevent my search engine from changing?
Yes. A reputable antivirus program can detect and remove harmful software or browser hijackers that alter your default search engine settings. Regular scans and real-time protection help prevent redirection.
5. How can I stop Yahoo redirection permanently?
To prevent it permanently:
- Set your preferred default search engine correctly.
- Remove suspicious extensions or plugins.
- Clear browser cookies and history regularly.
- Keep your system and browser updated.
- Install antivirus software to protect against malware.
