Removal instructions for the My Weather browser hijacker

What is My Weather?

My Weather is a browser extension that promises easy access to weather forecasts. After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it operates as a browser hijacker.

My Weather modifies browser settings to promote (via redirects) the search.bestweatherextension.com fake search engine. Additionally, this extension spies on users' browsing activity.

My Weather browser hijacker overview

Following My Weather's installation on our test machine, it changed the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs to the search.bestweatherextension.com website. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – resulted in redirects to search.bestweatherextension.com.

Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine ones. At the time of research, search.bestweatherextension.com lead to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it might land elsewhere since redirects may depend on factors like user geolocation.

Furthermore, like most browser hijackers, My Weather uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

What is more, My Weather has data-tracking abilities. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. The collected data can then be shared with or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	My Weather
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	My Weather
Supposed Functionality	Quick access to weather forecasts
Promoted URL	search.bestweatherextension.com
Detection Names (search.bestweatherextension.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.bestweatherextension.com)	172.67.167.164
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling).
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Browser hijacker examples

We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; Airplanes - New Tab, Cool Facts, and Ring are merely a couple of our latest finds.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and harmless. It also offers useful and advantageous functionalities. However, these features seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do no work at all. Keep in mind that even if a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did My Weather install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can be bundled with (packed alongside) regular programs. Downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.

Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate browser-hijacking software. When clicked on, some of the ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

Browser hijackers can also have "official" promotional webpages, and they are endorsed on deceptive/scam sites. Most users access these pages via redirects caused by websites that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Installation processes must be approached with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of additional apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.

We also advise being careful while browsing since fake and malicious content usually appears harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements may look legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such adverts/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with My Weather, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by My Weather browser hijacker:

Appearance of search.bestweatherextension.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is My Weather?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove My Weather browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search.bestweatherextension.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search.bestweatherextension.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

My Weather 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

My Weather browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 "My Weather" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "My Weather", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.bestweatherextension.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 "search.bestweatherextension.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.bestweatherextension.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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "My Weather", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "My Weather", remove hxxp://search.bestweatherextension.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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.bestweatherextension.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.bestweatherextension.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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search.bestweatherextension.com website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to websites like search.bestweatherextension.com.

Is visiting search.bestweatherextension.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like search.bestweatherextension.com typically collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution methods include: bundled installers, deceptive promotional pages, online scams, untrustworthy download sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove My Weather browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be a perfect solution, especially in cases involving multiple browser hijackers. Since after one is removed – the other may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly.

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