How to Remove Yahoo Search Redirect on Windows and Mac

Although Yahoo is a legitimate search engine, it can be frustrating to have it pop up every time you open your internet browser if it isn’t your preferred browser.

In fact, if your search engine keeps changing to Yahoo, the culprit may be a browser hijacker virus. 

Luckily, there’s a simple fix. 

Here’s how to remove Yahoo search redirect and everything else you need to know. 

Why Is Google Chrome Using Yahoo Search?

Yahoo may hold a significantly smaller portion of the search engine market, compared to Google, whose browser, Chrome holds a whopping 65.87% of the browser market, but it still ranks as one of the best search engines in the world. 

However, if Yahoo is not your default search engine, but you keep getting redirected to it,

your computer may have malware – more specifically, the Yahoo redirect virus.

What Is the Yahoo Search Redirect Virus?

This virus works by quickly redirecting your browser to an intermediary site – and sometimes multiple sites– and then depositing you onto Yahoo. 

From there, every click you make sends a part of the revenue to the hackers, who are usually in charge of the intermediary websites.

This also puts your online activities under the watchful eye of the hackers behind the virus. Hackers can modify the virus so that they can monitor your activities and steal your data. 

Yahoo has nothing to do with the redirecting and it can’t help you fix the problem.

The good news is you can get rid of the Yahoo redirect problem yourself.

How to Stop Yahoo Search in Chrome

If you’re experiencing a Google redirect to Yahoo, here’s how to fix it.

Reset Your Browser’s Settings

The easiest way to get your browser back on track is to reset your browser. 

Resetting your browser will delete all browser data, such as cookies, restore Chrome to its default settings, and disable all of your extensions. 

1. Open Chrome on your computer, click on the three dots in the top right corner to open the main menu, and select Settings.

2. From the left side menu, select Reset and cleanup. 
3. Click on Restore settings to their original defaults.

4. Click Reset settings on the next pop-up to confirm.

5. Restart your browser to see if the issue persists.

Uninstall Unrecognized Programs From Your Computer

If restoring your browser’s setting to default didn’t work, you can check your computer for any unknown or malicious programs.

Here’s how you can do that in Windows 10. 

1. Click the Start button and select Settings. 

 

2. Click on Apps.
3. Look for an app that you haven’t installed or aren’t familiar with. When you find it, click on it and select Uninstall. 

4. Follow the prompts to delete the app from your computer.

Use Anti-malware Software

Sometimes, malware can be hidden on your computer in a “temp” folder and you can’t always be certain that you’ve removed it completely. 

That’s why it’s best to install a good antivirus tool – which can, sometimes, help you remove a virus in under 10 minutes.

To install antivirus software on your computer:

1. Pick one of the best antivirus tools and visit their official website.
2. Choose a plan and register.
3. Download the Installer and install the software on your computer.
4. Open the antivirus app and run a scan.

The tool will flag any suspicious files and malware that may exist on your device and help you remove them completely.

How to Remove Yahoo Search From Mac

You can also remove the Yahoo search redirect virus from your Mac by resetting your browser’s settings or with the help of an antivirus tool. 

Reset Safari Browser Settings

1. Open the Safari browser on your computer.
2. Select Preferences.

Credit: Business Insider

3. Click on the advanced tab and check the box next to Show Develop menu in the menu bar.
4. Select Develop and click on Empty Caches.

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5. Find the History bar and select Clear History.
6. In the dropdown menu, select All History and then click the Clear History button.
7. Open Safari’s Preferences and click on the Privacy tab.
8. Select Manage Website Data and click Remove All.

Credit: Business Insider

9. Restart the browser to see if the problem was resolved.

Uninstall Unrecognized Programs

To uninstall suspicious apps on your Mac:

1. Open Finder and navigate to the Applications icon. 
2. Go through the list of applications to find any suspicious applications.

Credit: Cybernews.com

3. Once you find it, check if there is an uninstaller there. If there is, click on it and follow the instructions to remove the program. If there isn’t one, drag the app to Bin.

Credit: Cybernews.com

4. Double click the Bin and select Empty Bin to permanently delete the unwanted app. 

Bottom Line

If you’re wondering: “Why when I search in Google it goes to Yahoo?” it’s probably a browser hijacker virus. The best solution is to reset your browser settings, which usually resolves the issue. If that doesn’t do the trick, you can try removing any suspicious apps from your computer or get an antivirus tool.