Firefox update sees Yahoo replace Google as default search option

As anticipated, Mozilla yesterday updated Firefox to version 34, automatically switching the browser's default search from Google to Yahoo for most users in North America.

Firefox 34 launched early Monday to little fanfare from Mozilla, who touted it only on the update's Notes page.

The change means that if you're downloading Firefox for the very first time, Yahoo will appear as your default search engine. The precise terms of Yahoo's deal with Mozilla aren't known, but the fact that Google had reportedly been paying Mozilla somewhere in the region of $300 million a year to be the browser's default search provider suggests Yahoo is paying a sizable amount to take over from the Mountain View company.

Mozilla has not disclosed the financial terms of the five- year contract with Yahoo.