The Slippery Soapbox

[tmscrapbook]

Ever since I made the mistake of clicking on a link to update FlashPlayer, I have had problems with my search engine, I finally got it to eliminate Bing, but I can't seem to make Google my default search engine. I have gone to the Chrome setting (even Advanced settings) and attempted to make this switch. When I click on the 3 vertical dots on the right of the screen, It appears to give me the option of deleting the search engine, but nothing happens. I'm sure it is due to the engine called Cyber Search and then something that says it is controlling the setting.

I should mention that I'm on a Mac if that makes any difference.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can fix this?

Thanks in advance,
Pam (tmscrapbook)

[ctaulbee]

I don't, I'm a Firefox user.

On Flash, FYI for those who don't know, Flash is reaching it's end of life in December.

This just popped up on my screen couple days ago, I knew it was coming but this confirms it here.

flash.jpg (200.03 KiB) Viewed 945 times

That means it will no longer be supported, no more updates.

Then to make it worse all browsers are eliminating support for it, might be Chrome already has?

I removed the flash player from the server here well over a year ago and updated the site server to use html5 for videos, that is what everything has been moving to for the last couple years.

[chouette]

I had the same message as you Curt. Uninstalled it and I have not had any issues "yet". I'm also using Firefox and not on a Mac if that helps.

[Jazzy]

Hi Pam,

My examples are in French but must be the same in English.

In Parameters go to "Search Engines" and choose Google

You can also delete other search engines that you do not want.

... hope this helps.

[ctaulbee]

Looks like "Cyber Search" is a virus... probably installed when you clicked that fake Flash update message.

You will need to get it removed, it hijacks your search and search settings.

These folks have a free program they claim will remove it from a Mac.

www.malwarebytes.com

[tmscrapbook]

After running ComboCleaner and MalwareBytes, I still had the same problem even thought both pieces of software said that they found no problems.

After checking for bad profiles, extensions, applications, etc., I trashed the Chrome folder in the Application Support folder and cleared my browser history, etc., I trashed the Chrome app and emptied the trash. I wasn't looking forward to recreating bookmarks, passwords, etc. when I downloaded a new version of the software. I downloaded Chrome using Safari and installed it. Upon launching the application, all my bookmarks were preserved. I haven't checked out the passwords yet, but I was amazed that my bookmarks were still there. I immediately created a new tab and the Bing search engine did NOT appear. I then went to the settings in Chrome, and it showed that my default search engine is Google. No unwanted search engines were even listed. So, even if I have to recreate all my passwords, the dreaded Cyber Search engine appears to be gone.

Thanks to everyone who gave many suggestions to try. I really appreciate it

[Jazzy]

Hey Pam...  glad to see that problem fixed.

[ctaulbee]

Well done Pam, persistence generally pays off

[tmscrapbook]

Thanks for all the suggestions and encouragement

[chouette]