Yhs4.search.yahoo.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is yhs4.search.yahoo.com?
Yhs4.search.yahoo.com installs on systems without users' permission, since it is stealthily 'bundled' with free software. This application hijacks popular Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) and assigns the default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage to yhs4.search.yahoo.com.
In addition, additional applications (helper objects) are installed to prevent users from reverting these changes. This browser hijacker is mostly distributed with free software, and therefore, paying little attention when downloading programs from freeware download websites often leads to inadvertent installation of this application.
Websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, and downloads.com employ small 'download programs' (also called 'installers',' download managers', 'download tools', 'download clients', etc.), which supposedly ease the download process.
The purpose of these programs, however, is to monetize download websites' free services and traffic by offering installation of additional programs together with the chosen software. In some instances, installation of third party software is not disclosed.
This promoted third party software is often categorized as adware or malware and may cause various system problems. For example, adware-type applications display ads stored on certain servers. Although most of these ads redirect to commercial websites, some may redirect to others containing infectious content, thereby exposing your computer to risk of infection.
Furthermore, bogus applications are likely to collect various information that may contain personal details (for example, credit card information), which is later shared with third parties (possibly cyber criminals) and is used to generate revenue. This behavior can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
Note that the yhs4.search.yahoo.com website redirects to yahoo.com, and therefore, it is not technically classed as a virus or malware.
This site (yhs4.search.yahoo.com), however, generates advertisements that are not displayed when accessing yahoo.com directly - its purpose is to generate revenue using the pay-per-click advertising model. You are advised to uninstall this browser hijacker from your system immediately.
Most browser hijacking applications (such as searchzillions.com, search.iminent.com, and default-search.net) are distributed using the bundling method. Although yhs4.search.yahoo.com is mostly harmless, other browser hijackers can be dangerous.
This type of application decreases browser and computer performance, reduces Internet connection speeds, causes redirects to various websites containing infectious content (thereby leading to further computer infections), collects user information, and displays ads.
Bundled applications may be presented as 'legitimate and virus-free', however, you should never accept installation of them. If your browser continually redirects to yhs4.search.yahoo.com without your consent, the following guide will help you to uninstall this browser hijacker from your system.
How did yhs4.search.yahoo.com install on my computer?
This application is distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', thus, users often inadvertently install this application. Installation is usually hidden within the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' options, which are often skipped by many users.
This browser hijacking application is regularly bundled with free software downloadable from freeware download websites.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Express caution when downloading free software and opt-out of any unrecognised applications. Furthermore, all programs should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will enable you to closely observe each step of the installation process. Additional bundled programs are often concealed, and by choosing these options, you can reveal them and opt-out.
Deceptive free software installers used in yhs4.search.yahoo.com browser hijacker distribution:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is yhs4.search.yahoo.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall yhs4.search.yahoo.com application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove yhs4.search.yahoo.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove yhs4.search.yahoo.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove yhs4.search.yahoo.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove yhs4.search.yahoo.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Yhs4.search.yahoo.com browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for "Chromium", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the yhs4.search.yahoo.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Yhs4.search.yahoo.com browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://yhs4.search.yahoo.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Search Provided by Yahoo".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the yhs4.search.yahoo.com browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, click "set pages", hover your mouse over hxxp://yhs4.search.yahoo.com and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search" section, click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "search provided by yahoo" and add or select your preferred domain.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the yhs4.search.yahoo.com browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove all recently-installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://yhs4.search.yahoo.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "search.yahoo.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with yhs4.search.yahoo.com browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the yhs4.search.yahoo.com browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on yhs4.search.yahoo.com browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion