How to Eliminate Bing From Hijacking Your Browser

Bing. It’s a perfectly respectable search engine, used by millions. However, it can become incredibly frustrating when it unexpectedly takes over your browser’s search and homepage settings without your explicit consent. This unwanted behavior, often referred to as “browser hijacking,” is a common issue, and thankfully, one you can resolve. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to reclaim your browser and banish Bing back to its rightful place – a search engine option, not a mandatory one.

Table of Contents

Understanding Browser Hijacking

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand how Bing might have commandeered your browser in the first place. Browser hijacking typically happens through bundled software installations. When you download and install software, especially freeware or shareware, you might unintentionally agree to install additional programs or browser extensions. These often sneaky installers can change your default search engine and homepage to Bing, sometimes even adding toolbars or other unwanted software.

Another potential cause is malicious software or malware. While less common, some malware programs are specifically designed to hijack browsers and redirect searches to generate revenue for the attackers. This type of hijacking is more serious and requires a thorough malware scan.

Identifying the Problem

The symptoms of Bing browser hijacking are usually quite obvious:

Your default search engine has changed to Bing without your permission.
Your browser homepage has been altered to Bing.com.
You may see unfamiliar toolbars or browser extensions.
You might experience unwanted pop-up ads or redirects to suspicious websites.
Your browsing speed might be slower than usual.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to take action.

Removing Bing from Your Browser: Step-by-Step Guide

This section outlines the steps you should take to remove Bing and restore your browser settings. We’ll cover the most popular browsers: Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

Removing Bing from Google Chrome

Chrome is a widely used browser, and fortunately, it offers several ways to address browser hijacking.

Check and Remove Suspicious Extensions: Browser extensions are a common culprit. Type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter. Review the list of installed extensions carefully. Look for any extensions you don’t recognize or that seem suspicious. Pay attention to extensions that have broad permissions or vague descriptions. If you find anything questionable, click the “Remove” button to uninstall it. It’s better to be cautious and remove an extension you’re unsure about.
Reset Your Default Search Engine: To change your default search engine back to Google (or your preferred option), type chrome://settings/search in the address bar and press Enter. In the “Search engine used in the address bar” dropdown menu, select your desired search engine. If Bing is listed but you can’t remove it, proceed to the next steps.
Manage Search Engines: Click “Manage search engines and site search.” Here, you’ll see a list of all installed search engines. Hover your mouse over Bing and click the three vertical dots (menu icon). Select “Remove from list” to eliminate Bing as an option. Make sure your preferred search engine is set as the default.
Check and Reset Your Homepage: Type chrome://settings/appearance in the address bar and press Enter. If the “Show home button” option is enabled, check the “New Tab page” setting or specify a custom homepage URL. If Bing is set as your homepage, change it to your preferred website.
Reset Chrome Settings: As a last resort, you can reset Chrome to its default settings. This will disable all extensions, clear temporary data, and reset your startup page, search engine, and pinned tabs. Type chrome://settings/reset in the address bar and press Enter. Click “Restore settings to their original defaults” and then “Reset settings.” Be aware that this will erase your saved settings, so make sure you have backups if necessary.
Check Startup Pages: Type chrome://settings/onStartup in the address bar and press Enter. Ensure that “Open a specific page or set of pages” is not selected with Bing as one of the pages. Choose either “Open the New Tab page” or “Continue where you left off” depending on your preference.

Removing Bing from Mozilla Firefox

Firefox, known for its customization options, also offers effective ways to combat browser hijacking.

Remove Unwanted Add-ons: Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter. This will open the Add-ons Manager. Review the list of extensions, themes, and plugins. Look for anything unfamiliar or suspicious. Click the three dots next to the add-on and select “Remove” to uninstall it.
Change Your Homepage: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner and select “Settings.” In the “Home” panel, under “New Windows and Tabs,” choose your desired homepage. You can select “Firefox Home (Default),” “Blank Page,” or “Custom URLs.” If Bing is set as your homepage, replace it with your preferred website.
Reset Your Default Search Engine: In the “Search” panel of the Firefox settings, choose your preferred search engine from the “Default Search Engine” dropdown menu.
Manage Search Shortcuts: Click the “Search Shortcuts” button. Here, you can remove Bing from the list of search engines by selecting it and clicking the “Remove” button. Ensure that your preferred search engine is set as the default.
Refresh Firefox: If the problem persists, you can refresh Firefox to restore it to its default state. This will remove add-ons and customizations, but it will preserve your bookmarks, browsing history, and passwords. Type about:support in the address bar and press Enter. Click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
Check Startup Settings: Go to the “General” panel in Firefox Settings. Under “Startup,” ensure that “When Firefox starts” is set to your preferred option (e.g., “Show my home page”). If “Show a blank page” or “Show my windows and tabs from last time” suits your needs better, select that instead.

Removing Bing from Microsoft Edge

Even Microsoft’s own Edge browser isn’t immune to browser hijacking, although it’s less common.

Remove Suspicious Extensions: Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the Edge window and select “Extensions.” Review the list of installed extensions. If you find any extensions you don’t recognize or trust, click the “Remove” button to uninstall them.
Change Your Default Search Engine: Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select “Settings.” In the left-hand menu, click “Privacy, search, and services.” Scroll down to the “Address bar and search” section. Select your preferred search engine from the “Search engine used in the address bar” dropdown menu.
Manage Search Engines: Click “Manage search engines.” You’ll see a list of search engines. Click the three dots next to Bing and select “Remove from list.” Ensure your preferred search engine is set as the default.
Set Your Homepage: In the “Settings” menu, click “Start, home, and new tabs.” Choose your preferred option for the homepage. You can select “New tab page,” “Previous pages,” or “Specific page or pages.” If you choose “Specific page or pages,” make sure Bing is not included in the list.
Reset Edge Settings: As a last resort, you can reset Edge to its default settings. This will disable extensions, clear temporary data, and reset your startup page, search engine, and pinned tabs. In the “Settings” menu, go to “Reset settings” and click “Restore settings to their default values.” Then click “Reset.” Remember to back up any important settings before resetting.
Check Startup Boost and Browser Launch Settings: Under “Start, home, and new tabs” in Settings, examine the “Startup boost” and “Browser launch” settings. While unlikely to be directly related to Bing hijacking, incorrect configurations here can sometimes lead to unexpected browser behavior.

Scanning for Malware

If you’ve followed the steps above and Bing keeps reappearing, it’s possible that your computer is infected with malware. Run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus program such as:

Windows Defender (built-in to Windows)
Malwarebytes
Bitdefender
Norton

Make sure your antivirus software is up to date before running the scan. Follow the program’s instructions to remove any detected threats. Consider running a scan with a second opinion scanner, such as Malwarebytes, even if your primary antivirus doesn’t find anything.

Preventing Future Hijacking

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to help you avoid browser hijacking in the future:

Be Careful When Installing Software: Pay close attention during software installations. Read every screen carefully and uncheck any boxes that offer to install additional programs or browser extensions. Choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation option whenever possible to have more control over what gets installed.
Download Software from Reputable Sources: Avoid downloading software from untrusted websites or file-sharing platforms. Stick to official websites or well-known download portals.
Keep Your Software Up to Date: Regularly update your operating system, browser, and antivirus software to patch security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware.
Use a Browser Extension to Block Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs): Some browser extensions can help you block PUPs and other unwanted software during installations.
Be Wary of Pop-Up Ads and Redirects: Avoid clicking on suspicious pop-up ads or links that redirect you to unfamiliar websites.
Regularly Review Your Browser Extensions: Periodically review your installed browser extensions and remove any that you no longer need or that seem suspicious.
Use a strong ad blocker: Implement an ad blocker to minimize exposure to potentially malicious advertisements that can bundle unwanted software.

By following these steps, you can successfully eliminate Bing from hijacking your browser and prevent future occurrences. Remember to be vigilant and exercise caution when installing software and browsing the internet. Regularly scanning your system for malware is also crucial for maintaining a safe and secure online experience.

What does it mean for Bing to “hijack” my browser?

Browser hijacking, in the context of Bing, typically refers to situations where your default search engine, homepage, or new tab page unexpectedly change to Bing without your explicit consent. This can happen due to various reasons, most commonly through bundled software installations where you inadvertently agree to install a browser extension or a program that alters these settings. You might notice that whenever you open your browser, Bing is the first thing you see, or that searches initiated from your address bar are automatically directed through Bing.

This is considered hijacking because it disrupts your preferred browsing experience and potentially exposes you to unwanted search results or advertisements associated with Bing. It’s important to understand that this isn’t necessarily a malicious virus, but rather an unwanted alteration of your browser settings, often implemented through deceptive or misleading methods during software installations. The goal is typically to drive traffic to Bing and generate revenue through advertising or data collection.

How can I prevent Bing from hijacking my browser in the first place?

The best way to prevent Bing from hijacking your browser is to exercise caution during software installations. Always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation options instead of the “Typical” or “Express” options. These advanced options allow you to review each component being installed and uncheck any bundled software or browser extensions that you don’t want. Pay close attention to the checkboxes and read the fine print carefully before clicking “Next” or “Agree.”

Another crucial step is to download software only from trusted sources, such as the official website of the software developer. Avoid downloading from third-party websites or file-sharing platforms, as these sources often bundle unwanted software or even malware with the desired application. Using a reputable antivirus program and keeping it up-to-date can also help detect and prevent potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that may attempt to alter your browser settings without your consent.

What are the first steps I should take if Bing has already hijacked my browser?

The immediate first step when Bing has hijacked your browser is to manually change your default search engine and homepage back to your preferred settings within your browser’s settings menu. Look for options labeled “Search Engine,” “Homepage,” or “Startup page.” Ensure that Bing is no longer set as the default in these areas. Also, check your installed browser extensions for any unfamiliar or suspicious extensions that may be causing the redirection.

After changing the settings manually, the next crucial step is to run a scan with a reputable anti-malware program. Many free and paid anti-malware tools are available, such as Malwarebytes, which are specifically designed to detect and remove potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that may be responsible for the browser hijacking. These tools can identify and eliminate any hidden programs or browser extensions that are persistently changing your browser settings.

How do I change my default search engine back to Google (or another search engine)?

Changing your default search engine is straightforward, but the specific steps may vary slightly depending on the browser you are using. In Chrome, go to “Settings,” then “Search engine,” and select your preferred search engine from the dropdown menu. In Firefox, go to “Options,” then “Search,” and choose your preferred search engine from the “Default Search Engine” dropdown. For Microsoft Edge, go to “Settings,” then “Privacy, search, and services,” and select your preferred search engine under “Address bar and search.”

If your preferred search engine isn’t listed, you may need to add it manually. In most browsers, you can do this by visiting the search engine’s website and then returning to the browser’s search settings. The browser should then automatically detect the search engine and offer it as an option to add to the list. Ensure that you completely remove Bing from the list of available search engines, if possible, to prevent it from being accidentally selected again.

How do I remove suspicious browser extensions that might be causing the problem?

Removing suspicious browser extensions is crucial for eliminating browser hijacking. In Chrome, go to “chrome://extensions” in your address bar, or navigate through the menu (three dots) -> “More tools” -> “Extensions.” In Firefox, type “about:addons” in the address bar and go to the “Extensions” tab. For Microsoft Edge, go to “edge://extensions” in the address bar, or access it through the menu (three dots) -> “Extensions.”

Carefully review the list of installed extensions. Look for extensions that you don’t recognize, that have vague descriptions, or that you didn’t intentionally install. If you find any suspicious extensions, disable them first and then remove them completely by clicking the “Remove” button (or equivalent). Restart your browser after removing the extensions to ensure that the changes take effect.

Will resetting my browser to its default settings solve the problem?

Resetting your browser to its default settings can be an effective way to resolve browser hijacking issues, especially if you’re unsure which specific extension or program is causing the problem. This process will revert your browser’s settings, including the homepage, search engine, and installed extensions, to their original state. It’s essentially like giving your browser a fresh start, removing any unwanted configurations or modifications.

However, it’s important to understand that resetting your browser will also remove your saved passwords, browsing history, and other personalized settings. Therefore, you might want to back up any important data before proceeding with the reset. After resetting, you’ll need to reconfigure your preferred settings and reinstall any extensions that you actually need. This ensures a clean slate and helps prevent the return of the browser hijacking issue.

What if I’ve tried everything and Bing still keeps hijacking my browser?

If you’ve tried all the standard solutions, such as manually changing settings, removing suspicious extensions, running anti-malware scans, and resetting your browser, and Bing is still hijacking your browser, it’s possible that a more deeply embedded potentially unwanted program (PUP) or even malware is the culprit. In this case, you may need to consider more advanced troubleshooting steps. One option is to try a different anti-malware scanner or a specialized PUP removal tool to see if it can detect and eliminate the persistent threat.

Another approach is to examine your installed programs list in the Windows Control Panel or Settings app. Look for any unfamiliar or recently installed programs that you don’t recognize, and uninstall them. As a last resort, if all else fails, you may need to consider reinstalling your browser or even performing a clean installation of your operating system. This will ensure that all traces of the persistent browser hijacker are completely removed from your system. Remember to back up your important data before taking these drastic measures.