search.yahoo.com redirect

Yahoo Search – a legitimate search that is actively distributed via freeware bundles as a component of browser hijackers

Yahoo Search is a legitimate search provider that has been developed in 1994 by a well-known company Oath and a decade ago sold to the Verizon Media. The search provider is topping the charts of most visited sites, especially in the USA. However, regardless of its popularity, Yahoo Search sometimes cannot be trusted. For the past years, it has been actively misused by browser hijackers while trying to reroute users’ traffic to a specific site and fill its search results with sponsored content.

Web browsers infected by browser-hijacking apps are often redirected to search.yahoo.com or guce.yahoo.com sites, which have been found showing sponsored content. These redirects are typically performed on the affected web browser without the victim’s permission, once he/she adds a search query to the browser hijacker’s page. As a result, numerous online forums have been filled with claims about the Yahoo Search virus.^[1] 

The main reason why users have started discussing Yahoo Search virus is its misusage to display sponsored search results by impersonating legitimate services. Since browser hijackers are considered to be potentially unwanted programs, (PUPs) criminals try to find ways how to trick users into believing that they are trustworthy. Using legitimate Search.yahoo.com services is one of the methods to increase the program’s credibility. 

If you have already noticed redirects to Yahoo Search on IE, Mozilla, Chrome or another web browser, you should think what free software^[2] have you recently installed on your PC. Usually, these unwanted activities are noticed after installing one of the following programs which might hide a browser hijacker inside:

• Download manager;
• PDF creator;
• Video streaming software;
• Etc.

As soon as browser hijackers are installed on the system, they initiate system changes, tracking of people’s search sessions,^[3] collecting their non-personally identifiable information, and causing ads or redirects to sponsored websites by using the so-called Yahoo Search virus.

Yahoo Search virus applies malicious techniques to redirect users’ search query results to Search.yahoo.com site.

Yahoo Search virus applies malicious techniques to redirect users’ search query results to Search.yahoo.com site.

You could suspect that your computer is infected with Yahoo search virus if this search provider has become your default search engine suddenly. Other symptoms of the affected web browser might be:

• inability to set preferred homepage or/and search engine;
• an increased amount of online ads;
• the random text turned into hyperlinks;
• new bookmarks added;
• redirects to suspicious sites.

If any of these activities can be noticed on any of your web browsers, be aware that your browser might be hijacked. Usually, Yahoo services are categorized as malicious and should not be. However, experts note that the Yahoo Search virus term stands for the potentially dangerous activity initiated by browser hijackers on the user’s computer without his or her authorization. 

Yahoo Search virus can hide in the system under Yahoo Powered and similar terms.

Yahoo Search virus can hide in the system under Yahoo Powered and similar terms.

We strongly recommend choosing reliable download sources to avoid browser hijackers. If you want to protect your PC and private data, you should get rid of the virus right after it appears on your web browser. If you are also looking for a way how to remove Yahoo Search, choose a manual elimination way. In this case, you will only need to reset your web browser to its primary settings by performing several simple steps.

However, before you go with that, make sure that the browser hijacker which brought Yahoo search to your computer is gone. Note that there are numerous hijackers that are using misleading techniques to make users take them seriously or make them struggle while trying to get rid of them. Thus, scan your system with a professional security tool to get rid of infections. We also recommend making sure that there are no virus leftovers left on the system. For that, we recommend software like Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego.

After Yahoo Search removal, you should try to browse the web more carefully. Usually, browser hijackers infiltrate systems through their backdoors and then modify browser settings to stay on the system as the primary search provider. Likewise, it is essential to read every term and condition while installing freeware on the system. If, after rebooting your computer, Yahoo comes up, it means that you failed to decline an offer to install optional software on your computer. In this case, the easiest way to find unwanted software is to use anti-virus or anti-spyware software. 

Advertising activities help PUP developers generate revenue

It is evident that Yahoo has been used for advertising purposes and gaining easy income. Usually, users infected with the so-called Yahoo Search virus can notice a significant increase in online ads, the survey offers or other commercial content. Keep in mind that developers gain pay-per-click^[4] or pay-per-install^[5] revenue and might even promote potentially dangerous applications and websites through this legitimate search provider. 

Therefore, if you happen to suffer from unexpected redirects to a site filled with commercial content, do not ignore this matter. You should leave the site immediately and consider Yahoo Search removal from the system. For that, we recommend scanning your computer with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego to see if there is any hijacker hiding in it. Anti-malware/anti-spyware^[6] software helps identify computer infection and clean the device safely.

Yahoo.com Search virus has been misused by numerous browser hijackers without company’s notice.

Yahoo.com Search virus has been misused by numerous browser hijackers without company’s notice.

Yahoo search virus can be found under different names

Colleagues from Germany^[7] have warned the Internet community that PUPs have been abusing Yahoo under different names. Keeping them on the system can lead you to danger as they can not only collect non-personally identifiable information but sometimes try to get access to personally identifiable details.

It goes without saying you need to uninstall the following apps if you want to protect sensitive information. If your logins, banking information and other details are visible for cybercriminals, you might suffer from money loss or identity theft:^[8]

Yahoo Toolbar

Yahoo Toolbar is the most popular variant of Yahoo-related apps that promises personalized web browsing experience. However, the rating of this plugin has decreased because of its aggressive distribution which can take over the web browser and then start showing Yahoo search results without your approval. If you prefer, let’s say, Google, such discovery can really disrupt your work online. The next issue regarding this toolbar is that it fails to leave the system when you use traditional techniques. You should be especially careful with Yahoo toolbar 1.4.1 which is vulnerable to HTTP Yahoo Toolbar Helper ActiveX BO and can be used for attacks.^[9]

Yahoo Powered

Yahoo Powered has mostly been used by its developers to redirect users to us.search.yahoo.com page. As we have mentioned several times, all these pages are legitimate, but there is a risk of being presented with altered search results that are filled with sponsored links or ads. The distribution technique used by the PUP involves third-party software which typically presents such apps as “free offer”. However, the developers intentionally fail to mention what system changes can be made after accepting this offer and letting Yahoo Powered into the system.

PUP.Optional.WinYahoo

Alternatively known as WinYahoo, this virus has been mentioned in Malwarebytes scan reports. This potentially unwanted program has been known for its persistent aims to stay on the affected computer system and reappearance that is typically noticed after the computer’s reboot. In this case, it is highly recommended to check the system for browser helper objects (BHOs) used for such cases. While you can’t find such components manually, run the previously-mentioned app or your own anti-virus.

Yahoo Redirect virus

There are thousands of browser hijackers released continually, and many of those redirect their searchers to Yahoo. This is because Yahoo offers third-party advertisers to participate in their affiliate program and allows potentially unwanted program authors to use a well-established search engine. However, this redirection practice comes with a price, and users the ones who are paying for it. Because the hijacker is linking people to Yahoo, it intercepts the search results, providing multiple sponsored links at the top, preventing users from getting the genuine information they need.

Therefore, if you want to use Yahoo search engine, do so without the help of browser hijackers that redirect you there anyways (besides adding unnecessary and fake search results as the primary ones).

Yahoo Community Smartbar Engine 

Yahoo Community Smartbar engine is the add-on from Linkury Inc. The main executable – smartbar.exe. The PUP has been spreading around for several years now and, because of its intrusive activity, been found under different names, including Adware.Linkury.B, Adware.Linkury or PUP/Linkury. You can find this smart bar added to your browser without expecting this because it has been actively downloaded by unaware users as an optional component of other apps. However, if you like other search providers, not Yahoo, you should decline offers to add it to your web browser.

Yahoo Startnow

Yahoo Startnow browser hijacker changes the search engine of the browser to StartNow and sets homepage, as well as new tab address to yahoo.startnow.com. It establishes itself after a browser extension developed by Zugo Limited is installed on the machine. In most cases, users are tricked into installing applications that are entirely worthless and bring no benefit to their browsing experience or inject the add-on when they install freeware or shareware (software bundling method). Yahoo Startnow is most prevalent in India and the United States.

Us.yhs4.search.yahoo.com

Us.yhs4.search.yahoo.com is yet another version of Yahoo redirect virus. Note how browser hijacker authors include Yahoo’s name in the address, resulting in the illusion of legitimacy. Users are more keen to trust websites that are associated with reputable names, and PUP authors are well aware of that.

Therefore, gullible users should not be tricked by such techniques, and rather opt for a legitimate search engine, such as google.com, yahoo.com, bing.com, etc. If you see your web browser redirecting you to Us.yhs4.search.yahoo.com and your search result are filled with sponsored links, it is time to take care of removal of the browser hijacker. You will find all the instructions below this article.

At.yhs4.search.yahoo.com

At.yhs4.search.yahoo.com is another browser hijacker that belongs to Yahoo redirect virus category. While the URL is almost identical to the above-mentioned hijacker, this variant is quite a bit different. The main website looks plain, but has Yahoo logo right on top of the page, again playing on users’ trust. Additionally, the applications are designed to German-speaking users.

While possessing certain differences, the distribution method of potentially unwanted programs remains the same – users install if with bundled software or click on deceptive links online. Furthermore, the primary goal of At.yhs4.search.yahoo.com is gaining revenue by linking users to sponsored sites, providing fake search results and prompting them to install useless software.

Yahoo Search virus is a PUP that infiltrates the system and sets this legitimate search engine as the homepage, the default search engine, and new tab URL.

Yahoo Search virus is a PUP that infiltrates the system and sets this legitimate search engine as the homepage, the default search engine, and new tab URL.

Product bundling allows browser hijackers to enter the targeted systems

A vast of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) use the same distribution techniques to reach targeted computers. One of the most popular ones is called bundling which allows browser hijackers to travel as one program with third-party Spigbot apps, including the following:

• Extensions^[10];
• Plug-ins;
• Add-ons;
• Toolbars.

As soon as the person installs the software-bundle, the computer is infected with a browser hijacker. This issue shows up on all the most popular web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. To prevent this from happening, you should always pay an appropriate amount of attention to the freeware’s installation process.

It’s advisable to read EULA, Privacy Policy, and other accessible information about your selected program. By the way, you should opt for an Advanced or Custom installation option and carefully check the entire process.

During software installation, your main task is to find the list of “optional downloads” and opt out of all programs that are promoted there. NEVER agree to set an unknown search site as your start page and search provider because you may later experience various issues.

Uninstalling so-called Yahoo Search virus requires professional help

Even though you might find Search.yahoo.com among Yahoo search virus versions, this application is not categorized as a malicious program. In fact, it is classified as a potentially unwanted program that does not perform system changes. However, experts warn that browser modifications are not essential for an enhanced browsing experience. Thus, it is better to remove Search.yahoo.com.

For that, we present you two different options – manual Yahoo Search removal and automatic elimination option. According to PC security experts, the first option can be used only when you know the names of potentially unwanted programs that are causing redirects to this search engine.

The question of how to get rid of Yahoo search on Mac prevails on online forums

How to remove Yahoo Search on Mac is the main question that can be found on various Mac-related forums^[11]. Since people believe that Macs cannot be affected by malware, such as adware or browser hijackers, they tend to believe that unwanted modifications of a web browser are the result of their negligence. 

The truth is that the Yahoo Search virus on Macs is equally or even more frequent if comparing it to Windows. It infiltrates Macs via legitimate freeware apps distributed on various sources and sets the search.yahoo.com engine on Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another Mac-compatible web browser that is used as default. In addition, the search site may be promoted via third-party software updates. 

Yahoo Search virus infiltrates Mac systems via freeware and hijacks the web browser without asking permission

Yahoo Search virus infiltrates Mac systems via freeware and hijacks the web browser without asking permission

In order to perform Yahoo Search removal from Mac, you should also know the names of related adware. If you are not sure what kind of the virus has infected your device, then we strongly recommend opting for the automatic Search.yahoo.com removal and let anti-malware program for Macs to identify and remove it. The same applies to Windows users. After a complete malware elimination, reset web browser’s settings to recover the changes

You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.