Yandex browser – a browser based on Chromium open-source project which is directed to Russian-speaking users

Yandex is an internet service provider in Russia and is one of the best-known companies locally. It provides such services as email, web search, maps, and others, and it very similar to Google. The Yandex browser is based on Chromium open-source project and contains many security features, such as DNS spoofing protection, DNS encryption, file scanning, etc.[1] Despite that, users were complaining that they found the browser installed on their systems without their permission, meaning that Yandex browser is being spread with the help of software bundling[2] – a popular marketing technique mostly used to promote potentially unwanted programs. Additionally, during our test installation, the Yandex browser replaced Cortana with “Alisa,” which is quite intrusive behavior.
| Name | Yandex |
| Type | Web browser, PUP |
| Related | Chromium virus |
| Distribution | Software bundling, official website |
| Symptoms | Unexpected browser's appearance, yandex.ru homepage, alternations to Cortana |
| Features | Uses multiple protection features to protect from viruses and hackers |
| Elimination | Check out our instructions below |
| System recovery | Use FortectIntego to get rid of traces left by the hijacker |
Some users may refer to the program as “Yandex browser virus” as it infiltrates PC's without them noticing. However, we can assure you that the app itself is legitimate and even provides extra protection from malware, DNS hijackings, and similar malicious activity online.
However, the biggest concern is the installation of the program itself. Many users complained that they do not recall installing Yandex browser in the first place. What is more, the app sets itself as a default browser which uses a yandex.ru search engine, so search results might be quite a bit different you might expect them to show up on Chrome, MS Edge, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or another browser.
Yandex browser application is most likely safe to use, however, it might not be anonymous to use, just as Tor browser or DuckDuckGo search engine. Therefore, some tracking techniques like tracking cookies[3] or beacons might be used for marketing campaigns. On the other hand, most of the official browsers and search engines use tracking techniques.
Another alarming feature that we noticed is the secret installation of “Alisa.” The virtual assistant replaces Cortana's search bar entirely and changes its functionality. Considering Cortana is a built-in Windows tool, replacing it seems quite an intrusive action. Therefore, some users might want to remove Yandex browser from their machines.
To conclude, the application might be useful and most likely secure to use. However, due to certain system modifications and questionable distribution techniques, some users might opt for Yandex browser removal. Once completed, we recommend scanning the computer with FortectIntego to restore the system to its previous state.

Bundled software might installed aggressive PUPs that might expose you to security risks
Initially, software bundling should serve as an opportunity for you to try applications for free and see if you like them. Unfortunately, that is not how this technique works in practice, and many freeware developers include optional software that is ad-supported and might be quite aggressive. Additionally, developers use various tricks to make optional programs to be installed without users noticing, such as grayed out buttons, pre-ticked boxes and similar.
To avoid getting tricked by deceptive techniques, you should be attentive while installing new software. First of all, you should pick a reputable source for your downloads. Be aware that even “well-known” sites like Download.com are infested with potentially unwanted programs. Therefore, pay close attention to the installation procedure, and do not click “Next” several times without checking what you agree to.
Once prompted, select Advanced or Custom installation settings instead of Recommended ones. Then, deselect all the pre-ticked boxes which would otherwise install media players, add-ons, system optimizers, driver downloaders, and similar.
Uninstall Yandex browser by following these instructions
As previously mentioned, Yandex browser is not a malicious application and is most likely safe to use, as it employs multiple virus protection techniques, so it might even ensure the security of the device. However, it also modifies Windows settings and even installs the virtual assistant which replaces original Cortana. Therefore, if you decided to remove Yandex browser, you should check our step-by-step guide below.
After you complete Yandex browser removal, you might also want to reset each of the installed browsers to make sure no components were changed.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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