Fix Yandex Hijacked Browser

TL;DR

Your browser is redirecting to Yandex? This guide will help you remove the unwanted changes and get your homepage back. We’ll cover checking extensions, resetting settings, running a malware scan, and using specialized removal tools.

1. Check Your Browser Extensions

1. Open your browser’s extension page: The exact steps vary depending on your browser.
   • Chrome: Type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
   • Firefox: Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter.
   • Edge: Type edge://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Look for suspicious extensions: Disable or remove any extensions you don’t recognise, haven’t installed yourself, or seem out of place. Pay close attention to anything related to search, toolbars, or new tabs.
3. Remove unwanted extensions: Click the ‘Remove’ button next to each suspicious extension.

2. Reset Your Browser Settings

Resetting your browser will restore it to its default state, removing potentially harmful settings.

1. Chrome:
   • Click the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner.
   • Go to Settings > Reset and clean up > Restore settings to their original defaults.
   • Confirm by clicking ‘Reset settings’.
2. Firefox:
   • Click the three lines (menu) in the top-right corner.
   • Go to Help > Troubleshooting Information.
   • Click ‘Refresh Firefox’.
   • Confirm by clicking ‘Refresh Firefox’ again.
3. Edge:
   • Click the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner.
   • Go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their default values.
   • Confirm by clicking ‘Reset’.

3. Run a Malware Scan

Malware can hijack your browser and redirect you to unwanted websites. Use a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program.

1. Download and install a scanner: Consider using tools like Malwarebytes (free version is often sufficient) or your preferred antivirus software.
2. Update the scanner: Ensure the scanner has the latest virus definitions before running a scan.
3. Run a full system scan: This may take some time, so be patient.
4. Remove any detected threats: Follow the scanner’s instructions to quarantine or delete any malware found.

4. Check Your Hosts File (Advanced)

Sometimes, malicious software modifies your hosts file to redirect traffic. This step is for more advanced users.

1. Open the hosts file:
   • Windows: Open Notepad as an administrator and open C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts
   • macOS/Linux: Open Terminal and use a text editor with root privileges (e.g., sudo nano /etc/hosts).
2. Look for suspicious entries: Any lines containing Yandex addresses that you didn’t add yourself are likely malicious.
3. Remove the suspicious entries: Delete those lines and save the file.

   # Example of a suspicious entry (remove this line if present)

5. Specialized Removal Tools

If the above steps don’t work, consider using a dedicated Yandex browser hijacker removal tool. Several free tools are available online; search for ‘Yandex Hijacker Remover’. Be careful to download from reputable sources.