Why do my Google searches change?
Q My operating system is Windows 7 and I use Google for research. I can type the subject of my research into the address bar and, as soon as it responds, I can see what I want. However, before I can click a link, the screen changes and I have a totally different selection of results in front of me. If I scroll down far enough, I might find the links I really want. If you can throw any light on any adjustments I need to make, I would be grateful. Gillian Phillips
A We’re afraid this is a classic sign of a browser hijacker, meaning a piece of malware that tells your browser to do something other than what it should. In this case, the mystery nasty is redirecting your browser’s searches to a service other than Google, which is your preference. The upshot is you’re seeing links that earn an advertising commission for the miscreant responsible.
Screenshots you sent us show that you use Chrome, so this is almost certainly down to an extension (or add-on). Sadly, it is most likely that you allowed this to be installed, albeit inadvertently – probably when installing some other program you did want. The tick boxes or options that would’ve opted you out of this were most likely intentionally obscured or slyly worded.
If what we’ve said gives you any inkling as to the culprit, then you might be able to spot and remove it. First, click Chrome’s menu button (three dots, top right), then point to ‘More tools’ and click Extensions (see screenshot). Now look for any extensions you don’t recognise or haven’t knowingly installed, before clicking Remove followed by Remove to confirm.
Alternatively, and on the basis that your own security software has evidently failed to spot or stop the hijacker, we’d suggest making use of Adwcleaner. This is a free tool that specialises in removing adware, and it’s particularly good at eradicating browser hijackers. Download it from www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner.
Adwcleaner doesn’t need installing, so launch the downloaded EXE file to begin. Next, click the Scan Now button, then sit back and wait. We can’t tell you what to do next, because it depends on what if anything Adwcleaner finds. However, we’d suggest leaving ticks in the boxes alongside everything it finds before clicking the Clean button.