Yahoo Search Engine

Norton 360 for Mac
1

Note: Please do not post Personally Identifiable Information like email address, personal phone number, physical home address, product key etc.

Issue abstract: Google is my default search engine yet Yahoo takes over.

Detailed description: Every time I search in Chrome expecting Google to be my search engine, Yahoo takes over and searches. Google is the only search engine I have and I have removed all others, including Yahoo.

Product & version number:

OS details: Sequoia 15.5 Mac

What is the error message you are seeing?No error message

If you have any supporting screenshots, please add them:

2

I’ve moved your post the Mac forum board for better exposure to Mac users.

Check your Chrome settings to see what the Search Engine is set to use. You should be able to change it to the desired search engine from there.

3

The only search engine I have is Google. I have deleted all others. Yahoo is not even listed. Yet when I search in Chrome, Yahoo does the search.

4

Have you installed the Norton Search browser extension in your browser? If so, disable or remove that and test.

5

Hello @PuppyDogMom

  • Did you clear browser cookies n’ cache?
  • Do you run browser sync?
  • Did you recently install any program / browser extension?
  • Did you recently allow push notifications?
  • Did you recently change site permissions?
  • Did you reset browser?
  • Did you run Norton Full Scan?
  • Did you run Malwarebytes Scan?

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AI Overview
A Yahoo search redirect typically occurs when malware, known as a browser hijacker, modifies browser settings to redirect searches to search.yahoo.com without user consent. This can be frustrating, but it’s usually a sign of a potentially unwanted application (PUA) rather than a full-fledged virus.

What is a Yahoo Search Redirect?

  • Browser Hijacker:
    A type of malware that takes control of your browser’s settings (homepage, default search engine, new tab URLs).

  • Redirection:
    Instead of using your preferred search engine, your browser gets redirected to Yahoo Search (search.yahoo.com).

  • Not Necessarily Malicious:
    While annoying, these redirects don’t always indicate severe threats, but they can lead to malicious websites or expose sensitive data.

  • PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application):
    Browser hijackers are often classified as PUAs, meaning they are unwanted but not always harmful in the traditional sense.

How to Fix Yahoo Search Redirects:

  1. Remove Suspicious Extensions:
  • Go to your browser’s settings (e.g., Chrome’s “More tools” > “Extensions”).
  • Look for and remove any extensions you don’t recognize or remember installing.
  1. Reset Your Browser’s Search Engine:
  • In your browser’s settings, locate the search engine settings.
  • Set your preferred search engine (like Google) as the default.
  • Remove Yahoo Search from the list of available search engines.
  1. Check for Malware:
  • Run a scan with reputable anti-malware software (e.g., Malwarebytes).
  • Remove any threats detected.
  1. Reset Browser Settings:
  • In your browser’s settings, look for an option to reset or restore settings to their defaults (e.g., Chrome’s “Reset and clean up” option).
  1. Check Browser Shortcuts:
  • Right-click on your browser’s shortcut (on the desktop or taskbar).
  • Select “Properties”.
  • Check the “Target” field and make sure it only points to the browser executable (e.g., “chrome.exe”) and not to any other website or URL.
  1. Consider a Full System Scan:
  • If the problem persists, run a full scan of your computer with your antivirus software.
  1. Remove Suspicious Programs:
  • If you suspect a specific program is causing the redirect, uninstall it from your computer’s control panel or settings.

AI responses may include mistakes.

Caveat: I’m not Mac