Stop Current Weather App from hijacking browsers
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Current Weather App?
Current Weather App is a browser hijacker, marketed as an application for easy access to local weather forecasts, with an additional web searching tool. This rogue app is classified as both a PUA (potentially unwanted application) and a browser hijacker.
Due to most users installing it unwillingly, it is categorized as the former. As for the latter, this classification depends on unauthorized changes that Current Weather App makes to browsers. Which includes modifications, designed to promote its fake search engine (search.currentweathertab.com).
Additionally, this application has data tracking abilities; i.e. it spies on users' browsing activities and gathers their personal information.
The most popular browsers (e.g. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.) are the common targets of browser hijackers. Once within devices, they affect browsers by changing certain settings: homepage, new tab/window URL and default search engine.
These changes alter browsers thusly: every new tab/window opened and every single web search done through the URL bar - all redirect to the hijacker's fake search engine. They can also cause redirection chains, possibly ending with a legitimate search engine (e.g. Yahoo, Bing, Google and others).
Current Weather App promotes search.currentweathertab.com. However said fraudulent web searching tool is unable to provide any search results, therefore it redirects to search.yahoo.com. While these changes can appear to be easily reversible, often access to certain settings is denied and/or any changes made are simply reset.
Without removal of the hijacking application, recovery of affected browsers is impossible. Current Weather App also has data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes: IP address, browsing and search engine histories, geolocation and personal details.
What is vital to understand, is that this gathered data is then shared with third parties, which may misemploy it in order to generate revenue. Therefore, data tracking content can lead to serious privacy issues, even identity theft. It is likewise pertinent to know, that Current Weather App is often distributed together with the Hide My Searches potentially unwanted application.
PUAs cause redirects to sale-oriented, untrustworthy and malicious sites, they also run intrusive advertisement campaigns (pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.), and can gather vulnerable information.
In summary, PUAs (browser hijackers as well) can cause various browser and system invasions/infections, as well as endanger user privacy. All dubious applications must be removed immediately upon detection to avoid said risks.
| Name | Current Weather App |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | DrWeb (Adware.Spigot.145), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/WinWrapper.V Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Win32.WebSearch.gen), McAfee (GenericR-PBK!B860CF8C4CB5), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | Current Weather App, Weather |
| Supposed Functionality | Weather forecasting. |
| Promoted URL | search.currentweathertab.com |
| Serving IP Address (search.currentweathertab.com) | 52.204.175.169 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Additional Information | Current Weather App is distributed alongside with another browser hijacker called Hide My Searches. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Typically, browser hijackers have many similarities between them, some are even identical. For example, Current Weather App is very similar to Quick Local Weather, Transit Schedules, Your Email Simplified and Online Manuals App. PUAs spread by offering users a wide variety of "useful" and "advantageous" features.
Tempted by these seemingly legitimate offers, users end up inadvertently installing malignant content onto their systems. Despite how practical these features sound, they are rarely functional - most are outright nonoperational. The only purpose that unwanted apps serve is to create profit for their developers, all else is merely a guise.
They generate revenue by causing redirects, delivering invasive ad campaigns and by tracking data.
How did Current Weather App install on my computer?
Current Weather App has an official website, where it can be downloaded. It can also invade devices through install pack/bundles. By inattentively installing desired software (ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options and etc.), users can miss the fact that it is bundled with PUAs.
This is a heinous tactic used by unwanted app developers - pre-packing ordinary programs with their rogue products. Another way that PUAs are spread is via intrusive adverts.
Usually hosted by compromised website, invasive ads can execute scripts to make autonomous downloads/installs of undesirable applications. To summarize, careless browsing and software downloading/installation are the main causes of PUA infiltrations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Only official and verified download sources are recommended, preferably direct download links. Using peer-to-peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders is advised against, as they are more likely to offer bundled programs.
Proper installation protocol should be followed, that includes: reading terms and exploring possible options, using "Custom/Advanced" settings and opting-out/declining additional apps/features.
Cautious approach towards installation is necessary to ensure that the software installed will operate exactly as advertised and that there are no malicious side-effects and/or supplements involved. The same approach should be extended to browsing as well.
Since invasive advertisements tend to look utterly ordinary, it is easy to be fooled into clicking them. However, they frequently redirect to unreliable websites (gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.), which can be used as an indicator.
Should users experience ads/redirects of this type, they are to inspect their devices and remove all questionable applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Current Weather App, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Current Weather App browser hijacker installer set-up:
Current Weather App asking for various permissions:
Website promoting Current Weather App browser hijacker:
IMPORTANT NOTE! This deceptive site asks to enable web browser notifications:
Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:
Google Chrome (PC):
- Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
- Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
- Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)
Google Chrome (Android):
- Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
- Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
- Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and set the toggle button to "OFF"
Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Options" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
- Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"
Internet Explorer:
- Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
- Select "Internet options"
- Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
- Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
- Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
- Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
- Click "Manage" under "Website permissions"
- Click the switch under each suspicious website
Safari (Mac):
- Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences..."
- Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
- Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Current Weather App?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Current Weather App application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.currentweathertab.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Current Weather App browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.currentweathertab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.currentweathertab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Current Weather App browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Current Weather App"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.currentweathertab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Current Weather App browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://search.currentweathertab.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Current Weather App".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.currentweathertab.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Current Weather App" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons (e.g., "Hide My Searches"), and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Current Weather App" or "Hide My Searches", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://search.currentweathertab.com or hxxps://hidemysearches.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "hxxp://search.currentweathertab.com" and "hxxp://hidemysearches.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.currentweathertab.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Current Weather App" (or simply "Weather"), as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins (e.g., "Hide My Searches").
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "Current Weather App" (or simply "Weather") or "Hide My Searches", remove hxxp://search.currentweathertab.com or hxxp://hidemysearches.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search.currentweathertab.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.currentweathertab.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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