A user finds that their web browser opens to an unrecognized search engine and shows irrelevant results. What should a technician do?

The most effective action in this scenario is resetting the browser to default settings. This process typically removes any unwanted changes made to the browser, which can often occur due to browser hijacking or the installation of suspicious software. By resetting the browser, the technician will eliminate any alterations to the home page, default search engine, and any extensions or plugins that may have been added without the user’s consent.

This approach is essential for addressing issues such as an unrecognized search engine and irrelevant search results, as it restores the browser to its original state, thereby ensuring the user has a clean slate. After the reset, the user can then configure their browser settings according to their preferences without the interference of potentially harmful changes.

Rebooting and installing antivirus can indeed be helpful in some cases, especially if malware is suspected, but it may not directly resolve the immediate issue of the browser's settings. Encouraging the use of a different browser does not address the underlying problem and simply avoids the issue instead of fixing it. Updating the browser is important for security and functionality but will not correct the altered settings that have led to the symptoms described. Thus, resetting to default settings directly targets and resolves the problem effectively.