Updated on: September 26, 2024
Short on time? Here’s how to remove Yahoo! Redirect from Chrome:
- 1. Preliminary Step. Check for malicious browser extensions and restore Chrome’s default settings.
- 2. Scan Your Device. Complete a full disk scan using a reliable antivirus like Norton.
- 3. Remove Yahoo! Redirect. Once the scan is complete, let your antivirus delete all instances of the Yahoo! redirect browser hijacker.
- 4. Stay Safe. Invest in a premium internet security suite to stay protected from malware. (Norton is my favorite).
If your Google Chrome browser is redirecting you to Yahoo!, it’s likely due to a browser hijacker. These malicious pieces of software redirect you to specific websites to spread malware, steal data, and more. They may reroute you to fake Yahoo! search pages, manipulate search results, and even cause browser crashes.
The best way to remove the Yahoo! redirect virus (or any browser hijacker) is to use an antivirus program. A good antivirus will scan your computer, quarantine unsafe files, and remove all instances of the Yahoo! redirect virus. It will also remove any other malware files damaging your machine.
In my experience, the best tool for removing the Yahoo! redirect browser hijacker and other malware is Norton. It’s effective, affordable (starting at just $54.99 / year*), and you can try it risk-free with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Try Norton (60 Days Risk-Free)
Preliminary Step: Check Chrome for Suspicious Browser Extensions and Restore Chrome’s Default Settings
Browser hijackers often install themselves as malicious or unwanted extensions in Chrome and then change your browser behavior. You may not even remember installing an extension: they often come bundled with freeware. Visiting certain websites or interacting with suspicious ads can also trigger unwanted downloads. Either way, it’s a good idea to try fixing the Yahoo! redirect issue by removing any suspicious browser extensions.
To remove suspicious browser extensions from Chrome, follow these steps:
- Click on the 3 vertical dots (⋮) in the top right corner of Chrome.
- Click Extensions. Then select Manage Extensions from the submenu that appears.
- Check for any extensions that you don’t recognize (or that have appeared all of a sudden).
- Click Remove.
Next, you should reset your browser’s search settings to their default options. To do this:
- Click on the 3 vertical dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Click Settings, then Reset settings.
- Start typing “restore” in the search box and click on Restore settings to their original defaults when the option appears. Confirm your choice when prompted.
Google Chrome should now be back to normal. However, it’s still a good idea to run a virus scan using an antivirus program. That’s because if you do have a browser hijacker installed on your system, when you next close Chrome or restart your computer, it will hijack your browser again and reconfigure your settings to redirect through the fake Yahoo! Page once more.
Step 1. Identify the Browser Hijacker With Your Antivirus (And Don’t Make the Problem Worse!)
Before we start, make sure your cell phone, tablet, or any removable storage devices are unplugged from your PC. If you have malware on your PC, it can replicate onto your removable storage devices and reinstall itself at a later date.
Pick a good antivirus program first. I recommend Norton 360 because it has a 100% malware detection rate, tons of security features, and is simple to use. You can also use Norton’s Power Eraser, which is a great free tool for removing malware, but it’s pretty basic — if you want full protection, any of the 360 plans is a much better choice.
After downloading a comprehensive antivirus program, run a full disk scan. You need to do this even if you’ve already removed suspicious extensions from Chrome or suspect you know where the malware files on your machine are located. Since malware replicates, there’s no way of knowing how many copies of it are hidden throughout your PC.
Don’t cancel the scan even if you see viruses you recognize in the infected file list. There’s no way of knowing how much malware is on your system, so it’s best to run the full disk scan through to completion.
The full disk scan can take up to 4 hours as your antivirus needs to check every file and process on your computer. You might experience a slowdown if performing CPU-intensive activities while scanning, so it’s a good idea to run the scan overnight or when you’re not using your computer. When your antivirus has alerted you the malware scan is complete, every instance of malware will be quarantined. You’re now ready to move on to step 2.
Step 2. Remove the Browser Hijacker and Delete Any Other Infected Files
Your antivirus will now take you to its quarantine folder. Here you’ll see a list of every flagged file. You can go through this list and look for safe files (if you’re a tech-savvy user) or trust your antivirus and delete everything it quarantined (if you’re an inexperienced user).
After removing/whitelisting every detected file, restart your computer. When your computer has restarted, run a second full disk scan to ensure every trace of malware has been removed. The second scan won’t take as long as the first scan because many antiviruses remember recently scanned files and only check new or modified ones.
You shouldn’t be able to see any more flagged files after the second scan. However, if there are files listed in the quarantine folder, you need to keep repeating steps 1 and 2 until you can scan your PC without any detections.
When this is done, check if Google Chrome is working as usual. If it’s not, you may have to follow our preliminary step again to reset Chrome’s default search engine.
If Chrome is back to its normal self, you’re ready for step 3.
Step 3. Keep Your Device Protected From Other Unwanted Programs
You’ve now witnessed how easy it is to get infected by malware on your PC. Cybercriminals release new malware daily, and without protection, you’re constantly at risk of data harvesting, identity theft, and more. Here’s what you need to do avoid getting re-infected with a browser hijacker or a similar piece of malware:
- Avoid Freeware From Untrusted Sources: Everybody likes free stuff, but many free programs bundle adware or unwanted software. Using freeware is fine, but always stick to reputable websites. If you’re unsure about a site, you can always check its URL using an online URL and virus scanner.
- Avoid Downloading Suspicious Files: Stay away from suspicious links and don’t download attachments from unfamiliar senders. Even when you recognize the sender, double-check their full email address before opening any attachments. Always ensure you have an antivirus with real-time protection running, too, so that files, websites, and emails are actively scanned for harmful content and unsafe downloads are blocked.
- Keep Your Software, OS, and Drivers Up-To-Date: Outdated software exposes your system to vulnerabilities, making it easier for cybercriminals to exploit them and infect your device with malware. Enable automatic updates whenever possible and use this free scanner to check for vulnerabilities on your device. Some top antivirus programs even offer vulnerability scanners that automatically ensure your computer runs the latest software versions.
- Limit Administrator Privileges: Use a standard user account and avoid logging in with administrator privileges for everyday tasks. This limits the damage if malware tries to install itself, as admin access is often required for significant changes.
- Install an Ad Blocker: Many unwanted programs spread through malicious ads (malvertising) on websites. An ad blocker like any from this list will reduce the chance of interacting with these ads.
Best Antiviruses for Removing Yahoo! Redirect from Chrome in 2024
Quick summary of the best antiviruses for removing Yahoo! Redirect from Chrome in 2024:
- 🥇1. Norton — Best antivirus for solving Yahoo! redirect problems + great extra features.
- 🥈2. Bitdefender — Lightweight protection to stop redirects without slowing your system.
- 🥉3. McAfee — Reliable malware protection with excellent security features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yahoo! redirect virus dangerous?
The Yahoo! redirect “virus” is concerning. This harmful software behaves like a browser hijacker, covertly gathering your information and distributing it to dubious third parties. It might also send you to counterfeit Yahoo! sites laden with malicious software and unsafe advertisements.
In addition, the Yahoo! redirect virus may indicate a more significant malware threat (such as a trojan or computer worm) on your PC.
If your web searches are redirecting to Yahoo!, it’s essential you follow our steps and use a trustworthy antivirus program like Norton to scan your PC for any malware and remove it.
Is Yahoo! a virus?
Yahoo! is a legitimate company since 1994. It includes email servers, a search engine, news platform, and more. But because it’s so popular, bad actors, in the hopes of scamming as many people as possible, typically create phishing sites and emails that imitate the company.
These bogus pages harbor viruses, spyware, adware, PUPs, and other malware, allowing cybercriminals to pilfer your information, damage your computer, and slow your speeds with invasive ads and pop-ups.
If you suspect you’ve visited a fake version of Yahoo! your best bet is to scan your computer using an antivirus program like Norton and ensure you didn’t download any malicious programs.
How to remove Yahoo! redirect from Mac?
If your searches redirect to Yahoo! on Mac, you can follow our comprehensive guide: How to Remove Yahoo! Redirect Virus for Mac.
For those short on time, here are some quick steps:
- Remove suspicious extensions from your browser. To do this in Safari, click Safari > Preferences > Extensions, then find the suspicious extension and click Uninstall.
- Download a secure antivirus program for Mac.
- Run a full disk scan and wait for it to complete.
- Go through your quarantine folder and remove any dangerous malware files.
