It sounds like you may be experiencing issues related to unwanted software or browser hijacking. Unwanted software can alter your browsing experience without your consent, leading to symptoms such as being redirected to unrelated links when you click on a hyperlink or enter a URL. This can happen if you have inadvertently installed software that modifies your browser settings or if you are using a software bundler that installs additional applications alongside the one you intended to download.
Here are some steps you can take to address the issue:
- Check for Unwanted Software: Look for any programs that you did not intentionally install. These can often be difficult to remove. You can check your installed programs through the Control Panel in Windows.
- Reset Browser Settings: Both Google Chrome and Bing (Microsoft Edge) allow you to reset your browser settings to their default state. This can help remove any unwanted changes made by potentially harmful software.
- Clear Browser Cache: Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can also help resolve issues related to redirects.
- Use Windows Defender: Even though Windows Defender did not find anything, consider running a full system scan to ensure there are no hidden threats.
- Consider Additional Security Software: If the problem persists, you might want to consider using additional antivirus or anti-malware tools to scan for and remove unwanted software.
If you continue to have issues, it might be helpful to reach out to a professional for further assistance.
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