Is there a way to change default search engine from Google, Yahoo and Bing to something else in OS X 10.7.5 Lion?

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Is there a way to change default search engine from Google, Yahoo and Bing to something else in OS X 10.7.5 Lion?

Imagine inviting a friend over to your house and when you come back into the house from putting the garbage out you find your friend going through your dresser drawers or placing a secret camera somewhere in your house. Well this isn't much different from that. It's a betrayal of trust. And I hate it.

In OS X 10.7.5 Lion Safari>Preferences>General the default search engines are preset to either Google, Yahoo or Bing. I do not like any of them because they are all very invasive and the track and record your web browsing activities. Sure there is an "ask not to track me" box and a way o remove the "cookies and othere data" but none of those things work. Even Apple stores things on your computer. But does anyone know how to disable these preset default search engines? I don't SHOP online and I like my personal privacy.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on May 12, 2013 9:12 PM

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Answer 1

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Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

May 12, 2013 10:27 PM in response to davesnewlion

If you install Glims it adds numerous other search engines and offers various other improvements to Safari. You select the search engine you would like to use and drag to the top of the list. Makes Safari much more configurable:

http://www.machangout.com/

You might also want to install the extension DoNotTrackMe.

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Answer 2

davesnewlion Author

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39 points

May 12, 2013 11:45 PM in response to Paul_31

Thanks Paul. Actually I am severely ticked off at Google/Gmail not Apple at all. Almost ready to install Manrdiva Linux partition on my Macbook. Might just get an android tablet just for emails but still need the alternative search engine on Macbook for everything else.....maybe Opera.....it's a pretty good browser. Thanks again.

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Answer 3

davesnewlion Author

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39 points

May 12, 2013 11:48 PM in response to davesnewlion

But where do I get Glims?

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Answer 4

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

May 12, 2013 11:50 PM in response to davesnewlion

You're welcome, I think you'll find Glims a pretty useful enhancement to Safari making it easier to tailor it more to individual taste. My personal Safari hate it the wide tabs - Glims let's you re-instate the smaller version.

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Answer 5

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

May 12, 2013 11:49 PM in response to davesnewlion

But where do I get Glims?

Click the link in my first post 😉.

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Answer 6

davesnewlion Author

Level 1

39 points

May 13, 2013 12:01 AM in response to Paul_31

Cool. I saw that source for glims when I searched. Kinda leary of third party appas after just getting rid of three third party cookie blockers I thought Ifound on Mac Apps or iTunes Apps (did it late at night - 😝) Thanks a bundle Paul

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Answer 7

Paul_31

Level 6

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May 13, 2013 12:03 AM in response to davesnewlion

You're welcome, and thanks for the feedback.

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Answer 8

davesnewlion Author

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39 points

May 13, 2013 12:34 AM in response to Paul_31

I found and downloaded Glims but Apple won't let me install it because it is not from Apple. I checked my Safari>Preferences and set Privacy to: 'Never Block Cookies' and I still cannot install it.

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Answer 9

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

May 13, 2013 12:40 AM in response to davesnewlion

Right click on the downloaded file and select 'Open'. It's part of Apple's Gatekeeper security that is designed to prevent users opening software that isn't 'signed' by Apple.

You can change the preference in System Preferences>Security & Privacy> 'Allow applications downloaded from'. You'll probably need to unlock the preference by clicking on the padlock and inputting your admin password.

My preference is set to Mac App Store and identified developers, so I also often get the message you're seeing. So long as I'm happy to open the file I just do the 'right click and select open' thing.

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Answer 10

davesnewlion Author

Level 1

39 points

May 17, 2013 1:03 AM in response to Paul_31

I have to stick to things like browsing, checking email, etc etc late at night it seems and stay outta the Apps store unril the daylight hour. Srry for ant unconveniences I may be causing to the community. 😮

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Answer 11

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

May 17, 2013 2:01 AM in response to davesnewlion

You're not an inconvenience - people here are happy to help 🙂.

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