Firefox redirects my searches to Yahoo when my search engine is set to google.
I am using Firefox 59.0.2 64bit. My default search engine is set to Google. When I try to do a search using either the address bar or the search bar I am always directed to Yahoo search. The default search engine does not change but I am always redirected to Yahoo. I do not have Spigot or YahooSearch on my Computer. There is nothing suspicious in my add-ons. I have removed everything from my computer that had Yahoo in it. I have run several malware programs. There is nothing unusual in the programs listed using the control panel or task manager. I have updated Windows. I am still redirected to Yahoo. Again it does not change my default search engine, but redirects it every time.
I know the preferred search engine of Firefox is Yahoo, but is not mine. If this is Firefox's way to force us to use yahoo it will be bye-bye Firefox and hello Chrome.
All Replies (7)
Hi, actually Google is the Sponsored Search Engine, now and again. Interesting issue as you have done all the things would have asked you to check out.
Please always :
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer
Please Refresh but do this 1st: Delete your Cookies and Cache and TEST. If still issues :
TEST....... If no issues then Extensions which need to be added back in 1 at a time and tested ..... Or it is your Profile : Make a new one and test ...:
If is your Profile :
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox
Note: Any customization will revert back to default, you will also need to reinstall Extensions.
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
Hi Vitog,
Just in case the above shouldn't solve the problem :
You might be dealing with search.yahoo.com redirect virus, malware that you will of course want to get rid of.
Go to the Firefox menu (≡) => Add-ons => Extensions, and look for any unfamiliar or suspicious looking extensions.
When you find any : remove them.
Do the same here : for Windows => Control Panel for Mac and Linux => System Preferences
However : most malware will be 'hiding' somewhere , so let's run malware scans (even though you already have run some) :
Further information can be found in this article : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware?cache=no
Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. They all work differently - what one program doesn't pick up, the other might.
Also see : https://www.pcrisk.com/removal-guides/8835-search-yahoo-com-redirect
Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!
The refresh did it.
Vitog said
Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!! The refresh did it.
Hi, I would still suggest running Malware scanners as Happy112 suggested.
Please Mark the Answer that was the Solution for others to find it. Thanks.
Vitog said
I know the preferred search engine of Firefox is Yahoo, but is not mine. If this is Firefox's way to force us to use yahoo it will be bye-bye Firefox and hello Chrome.
Actually as of Firefox 57.0 and later any locales of Firefox that had Yahoo as the search engine default was changed back to Google. As of Firefox 59.0 and 52.7.0esr Release the Yahoo search engine was completely removed and not just hidden. https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2017/11/14/firefox-features-google-as-default-search-provider-in-the-u-s-canada-hong-kong-and-taiwan/
https://hg.mozilla.org/releases/mozilla-release/rev/a46d7b315f70
Little public information on the real reason(s) however Mozilla and Yahoo have been in a legal dispute for over four months now. https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2017/12/05/mozilla-files-cross-complaint-against-yahoo-holdings-and-oath/
So Firefox 57.0, 58.0, 59.0 is not forcing you to use Yahoo as a search engine.
This is due to some other means outside of Firefox adding the search engine or due to malware.
For a time there were some people who got a malware called Yaahoo for example.
Vitog said
The refresh did it.
All a Refresh does is be an awkward way of creating a new Profile while moving important settings to a folder on desktop. If you want to create a new Profile then using the ProfileManager would be a better method.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
What Refresh does is explained further down in article in case you missed it. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/refresh-firefox-reset-add-ons-and-settings
Also with PK's instructions if you follow all would have you essentially create two new Profiles.
Modified by James
My default browser is Google. It redirects to Yahoo?
After a few days, I found the malware culprit hiding in Firefox Add-ons, cleverly disguised as Safe Browsing. It uses eanswer.com to redirect to Yahoo. I'm not sure it's really even Yahoo. Provides only limited information.
I don't remember exactly, but I must have seen a popup that said it was a Firefox browsing add-on for safer searches. I would have downloaded something that said it was from Firefox and would give me safer browsing.