default search engine changed from google to yahoo

Another post recommended going to

System preferences --> profiles (can search if you don't see it) --> deleting anything under that tab.

I had tried many things and it worked immediately. Hopefully it stays that way! Fingers crossed, previously I had tried all recommendations.

No It is malware or adware whatever it is called. I had to remove extensions three times, and it keeps coming back. When I search in google (it is my default search engine in preferences) and hit enter it comes up with safe finder and it is the yahoo page. How do I get rid of this?

You have adware/malware installed. Use  Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac. It may be necessary to run more than one scan. After scanning a couple of times, restart the computer and test. If necessary, follow the manual instructions.  Do not download any other programs that are listed in the articles.  

See if the below helps. I would scroll down to the below or you might fall asleep.

Step 1. Eliminate Yahoo Redirect from Windows.    

Step 2. Delete Yahoo Redirect from Mac OS      

Step 3. Uninstall Yahoo Redirect from Internet Explorer      

Step 4. Remove Yahoo Redirect from Microsoft Edge.     

Step 5. Erase Yahoo Redirect from Mozilla Firefox.   

Step 6. Get rid of Yahoo Redirect from Google Chrome.    

Step 7. Eliminate Yahoo Redirect from Safari.   

https://www.2-spyware.com/remove-yahoo-redirect-virus.html.    

Go to Safari Preferences/Extensions, uninstall any you don't recognize, and then turn all extensions off. Test. If okay, turn the extensions on one by one until you figure out what extension is causing the problem.

 Safari/Preferences/General - see what the Home Page is set to. If something you don't recognize, see if you can replace it with something you want.

 Safari menu/Clear History.

 System Preferences and remove any Profiles you see.

 Do not download any other programs that are listed in the articles.  

Safe Finder Uninstall

Safe Finder Uninstall (2)

Safe Finder Uninstall (3)

Hi,

I got the same problem few days back in safari. I do not why? But i installed some third party application. Then i used malware protection and i am fine now. But at times it still appears the virus search engine again. AHHHH!, Even if I open watersoftenerideas.com site which i am currently working on as project. This issue is again and again appearing. I mentioned it because may be virus specifically associated with it. :(

Hello, support team what could i do it.

Waiting for the positive reply and responses.

I have heard time and again that you are not supposed to download any antivirus software on your Mac (also, that these computers don't get infected, but here we are). How do I know that this program won't harm my Mac???

I checked everything btw, no weird extensions on my Mac, not a problem with the preferred search engine option. I bought it recently and it did come with the firewall off (strange). Now my mail gets offline and I have to restart the computer to get it back online (I have gmail service on the mail app). Very disappointed with Mac, but still gotta use it.

How do I know which programs are safe??? This is driving me crazy

Malwarebytes isn't an anti-virus program. It is an adware/malware program. I have run Malwarebytes many times on my computer to test it and have never had a problem with it. Malwarebytes and Etrecheck are two programs often recommended by long time posters.

This is working for. My Search Engine is set to Google. I have followed this process at least 10 times. I have checked every time that it's set to Google. I even set it to Yahoo and then back to Google just to make sure. I've even restarted several times. No matter what I do, it goes to Yahoo. Even if I type google.com in the browser and to go Google and enter a search term on Google, when I hit return, it goes to Yahoo. I never authorized this. I am very upset.

I have exactly the same problem since about 2 days. My search engine is set to Google, yet every time I try to search for something it goes automatically to yahoo. I have tried different google country sites like .es and .nl and .com They all do the same.

I have looked in the Profiles under System Preferences/View, and there is two times a profile SmartFunctionSearch. One is installed on 29 Aug and the other on 4 Sept. They both have an icon like the System Preferences (with the gear wheel). I have not installed anything like that. Should I remove those? Plus run the MalwareBytes??

Very annoying this. Thanks for any additional tips or confirmation.

Remove both Profiles and definitely run Malwarebytes. It may be necessary to run more than one scan. After scanning a couple of times, restart the computer and test. If necessary, follow the manual instructions.  Do not download any other programs that are listed in the articles.  

See if the below helps. I would scroll down to the below or you might fall asleep.

Step 1. Eliminate Yahoo Redirect from Windows.    

Step 2. Delete Yahoo Redirect from Mac OS      

Step 3. Uninstall Yahoo Redirect from Internet Explorer      

Step 4. Remove Yahoo Redirect from Microsoft Edge.     

Step 5. Erase Yahoo Redirect from Mozilla Firefox.   

Step 6. Get rid of Yahoo Redirect from Google Chrome.    

Step 7. Eliminate Yahoo Redirect from Safari.   

https://www.2-spyware.com/remove-yahoo-redirect-virus.html.    

Go to Safari Preferences/Extensions, uninstall any you don't recognize, and then turn all extensions off. Test. If okay, turn the extensions on one by one until you figure out what extension is causing the problem.

 Safari/Preferences/General - see what the Home Page is set to. If something you don't recognize, see if you can replace it with something you want.

 Safari menu/Clear History.

 Do not download any other programs that are listed in the articles.  

Safe Finder Uninstall

Safe Finder Uninstall (2)

Safe Finder Uninstall (3)

Awesome! It totally worked, Google is working now again, and also the going offline of emails every few minutes. I have deleted the strange profiles and ran Malwarebytes a couple of times. It found about 8 or 9 things that I quarantined, after that (and re-start) all is working well. Thanks so much Eric!

Go to Safari Preferences > Search tab > Search Engine: you can set this to a few things. Somehow yours got set to Yahoo?

I'm guessing when you used Yahoo you accidentally ticked a pop-up box to change your search engine. Don't worry you can fix it easily.

Safari Preferences > Search tab > Search Engine

I try to search using Google and get highjacked by YAHOO. This began after my latest system upgrade in the last few days. How do I get Google back.

Hi Eric,

I was having the same problems with Google searches going to Yahoo and my emails were offline. The MalwareBytes found some stuff that I got rid of. Everything is now working normal. Thanks!