Google has removed search bar and only has yahoo on its website search part

Surprising Changes in Your Browser: Why Google Appears as Yahoo and How to Fix It

In an online world where Google is synonymous with internet searches, it can be perplexing and frustrating to open your browser, type in a query, and find that Yahoo is managing your search results. Such a sudden alteration in your browser can lead to questions about what might have prompted this change and, more importantly, how you can revert back to your preferred search engine. This blog post will delve deeper into what might cause such an unexpected switch, how to troubleshoot this situation, and ways you can protect your browser settings in the future.

Understanding the Issue: A Shift from Google to Yahoo

Detecting a change from Google to Yahoo (or any unexpected search engine) often points to a recurring issue many users face: the change of default search engine settings—often unbeknownst to the user. Before jumping to conclusions, it’s essential to understand the potential causes behind this shift.

Potential Causes:

1. Browser Hijackers:
   Browser hijackers are a type of malware that modifies a web browser’s settings without the user’s permission. They often redirect the user to search engines they’re affiliated with, like Yahoo, to generate advertising revenue through increased traffic. While Yahoo itself isn’t harmful, the redirects can degrade your browsing experience and may expose you to more harmful websites.

2. Software Bundles:
   Many free Software installations come with additional offers, often pre-checked, which can include search engine changes. Users not paying close attention during the installation might inadvertently allow changes to their browser settings.

3. Extensions and Add-ons:
   Certain browser extensions or add-ons have permissions to alter browser settings. These can sometimes come pre-installed with settings that prioritize certain search engines over others, causing such unintentional changes.

Diagnosing the Problem

To determine the root cause of the issue, a systematic approach is recommended. Here are the steps you should take to diagnose the problem:

1. Check Installed Programs:
   Begin by checking for recently installed programs that might have caused this change. Look for unfamiliar applications or those installed around the time you noticed the switch.

2. Inspect Browser Extensions:
   Navigate to your browser’s settings and review the installed extensions or add-ons. Disable any unfamiliar ones and see if the problem persists.

3. Review Browser Settings:
   Visit the settings page of your browser and verify what search engine is set as default. If it’s Yahoo and you don’t remember setting it, you might be dealing with a hijacker or an unauthorized application.

4. Conduct a Malware Scan:
   Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware Software to scan your system for potential threats. Malware infections can often be the culprits behind such browser changes.

Taking Action: How to Revert to Your Preferred Search Engine

Once you’ve identified how your browser settings changed, it’s time to take strides in reverting back to Google or your desired search engine. Here’s how to do it across common web browsers:

Google Chrome

1. Switch Default Search Engine:
2. Open Chrome and click on the three vertical dots at the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. Go to ‘Settings.’
4. Under ‘Search engine,’ click ‘Manage search engines.’

5. Find Google and set it as the default search engine.

6. Check for Suspicious Extensions:

7. Return to the menu and select ‘More tools’ then ‘Extensions.’

8. Disable or remove extensions that you don’t recognize or no longer use.

9. Reset Chrome Settings:

10. In ‘Settings,’ scroll to the bottom and click ‘Advanced.’
11. Find ‘Restore settings to their original defaults’ under ‘Reset and clean up’ and confirm to reset.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Switch Default Search Engine:
2. Click on the menu button at the top-right corner and choose ‘Preferences.’
3. Select ‘Search’ from the left panel.

4. Under ‘Default Search Engine,’ choose Google.

5. Review Extensions and Add-ons:

6. Head to the menu, find ‘Add-ons,’ and select it.

7. Disable or remove any unfamiliar add-ons.

8. Reset Firefox:

9. This can be done by visiting ‘Help’ > ‘Troubleshooting Information’ and then clicking on ‘Refresh Firefox.’

Microsoft Edge

1. Change Search Settings:
2. Open Edge and click on the menu icon, then choose ‘Settings.’
3. In the left panel, select ‘Privacy, search, and services.’

4. Under ‘Services,’ select ‘Address bar and search,’ change the search engine used in the address bar to Google.

5. Inspect for Unwanted Extensions:

6. Navigate to ‘Extensions’ from the Edge menu.

7. Disable anything suspicious or unwanted.

8. Reset Edge:

9. In ‘Settings,’ go to ‘Reset settings’ and select ‘Restore settings to their default values.’

Preventive Measures: Securing Your Browser Settings

After restoring your preferred search engine, adopting some preventive measures can help ensure that your browser settings remain unchanged without your knowledge:

1. Careful Software Installation:
   Always choose ‘Custom’ or ‘Advanced’ installation options for downloads to avoid bundling unwanted programs.

2. Regular System Scans:
   Execute regular scans using updated antivirus software to detect and remove adware, browser hijackers, or malicious software.

3. Update Browser and Extensions:
   Keep both your browser and extensions up-to-date to protect against vulnerabilities that could be exploited for unauthorized changes.

4. Be Cautious with Extensions:
   Only install extensions from reputable developers and always review the permissions they request.

Conclusion

Experiencing an unexpected change from Google to Yahoo as your default search engine can initially seem bothersome. However, understanding the underlying causes and knowing how to address the situation will not only ease the stress but also equip you with the right tools to prevent it from happening in the future. By staying informed and adopting good browsing habits, you can ensure that your online searches remain safe, private, and under your control.