I noticed that my default search engine switched from Google to Yahoo without me changing it. I corrected it in my settings, but it was set for "secure search," which I don't really understand. This change only affected my personal account; my school accounts on the same computer are still using Google.
Also, I found that three new programs were downloaded: Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise and two instances of Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable. I used Microsoft Excel for the first time today, so I'm unsure if these installations are linked. I'm just trying to figure out if the change in my default search engine is a sign of a problem with my laptop, or if it was just a random occurrence. By the way, I have McAfee installed, but I haven't purchased anything through it.
3 Answers
It sounds like what changed was your default search engine, not the entire browser itself. This kind of thing can happen when you install programs from less trustworthy sources and something gets changed in the process. It's also good to note that the VC++ installations are typically normal, as they're needed for various applications to run. You might want to check if any new software installs coincided with this change.
Honestly, McAfee can sometimes act glitchy, causing issues like this with your search engine settings. It's pretty common on many consumer laptops. Even when you delete it through normal methods, it can still mess around with your settings. If you want a cleaner experience, you might consider removing it entirely using a tool like Revo Uninstaller.
No worries, tech stuff can be confusing! It's good you caught the search engine change, as it can happen from unexpected installations. If you haven't intentionally downloaded anything recently, the changes you see might just be from default settings on your laptop itself. Keeping your programs updated and scanning for viruses occasionally can help prevent these things.
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