Has your search facility been hijacked?

A very common issue I see with client's machines is the default search engine has been changed without their knowledge. In many instances it is simply they've downloaded an update which also includes the Google Toolbar. Unfortunately many updates from leading overseas companies providing the Google Toolbar don't provide the correct Google search engine for Australia. You know if this has happened to you when you do a search using Google and Pages From Australia is not an option.

In addition, many of the leading software providers try to seed users with their own software. Software the user will often never need, which consume resources and should be removed. So not only do you get the wrong version of Google search for Australia, but you also get unwanted applications installed in your computer.

A while ago I developed a option for Internet Explorer (a search provider) for my clients, which enables them to search for pages from Australia by default. Most people love searching for pages from Australia first because it reduces a great deal of clutter in the results. People also prefer to find products and services from Australia first.

From a support point of view, adding the search provider to clients' machines gives me a visual clue they are using the correct version of Google for Australia. One glance and I can see the words JustLocal Google (AU default) as shown in the following image.

When I open any client's machine and the words JustLocal Google (AU default) do not appear in the search field, I know the machine needs to be reviewed.

Companies like Google, Apple and Adobe when you install their software often include software you don't want or need. The real problem isn't so much the leading companies, the real problem is with other companies tricking a user into installing their search engine by default. A change of the search provider is often a good clue of a malware infection, and in these cases I often find a couple of programs (typically adware) which need to be removed from the computer.

If you are interested in checking for products and services from Australia as the default in Google, then check out the Fun with Search page and install the Google search provider for pages from Australia as the default. The extra benefit is you can easily see if a software provider has altered your search settings without you being fully aware.

Enjoy.

- Kelvin Eldridge