Removal instructions for the Cloud Weather browser hijacker

What is Cloud Weather?

While investigating suspicious sites, our researchers discovered the Cloud Weather browser extension. It is promoted as a quick access tool to cloudy/sunny weather forecasts.

Our analysis of this extension revealed that it operates as a browser hijacker. In other words, Cloud Weather modifies browser settings in order to cause redirects to the search.cloudweatherext.com fake search engine.

Cloud Weather browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software reassigns browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of endorsed websites. Cloud Weather makes these alterations as well to promote the search.cloudweatherext.com site.

Hence, with this extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and Web searches performed via the URL bar – result in redirects to search.cloudweatherext.com.

Additionally, this browser hijacker employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. At the time of research, search.cloudweatherext.com redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it might land elsewhere since redirects can depend on various factors (e.g., user geolocation, etc.).

Furthermore, Cloud Weather spies on users' browsing activity. Browser-hijacking software typically collects the following data: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, IP addresses, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. The gathered information can be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of software like Cloud Weather on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Cloud Weather
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Cloud Weather
Supposed Functionality	Easy access to weather forecasts
Promoted URL	search.cloudweatherext.com
Detection Names (search.cloudweatherext.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.cloudweatherext.com)	104.21.83.216
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; Yearn New Tab, ChatSAI, Sports Sensei, Infinity V+ New Tab – are just some examples of our newest finds.

Browser-hijacking software tends to appear legitimate and harmless. It entices users into download/installation with promises of various handy functions. However, this software seldom operates as advertised, and in most cases – the promised features are utterly nonfunctional.

Note that even if a browser extension or application works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not proof of its legitimacy or safety.

How did Cloud Weather install on my computer?

We obtained Cloud Weather from a deceptive webpage. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are promoted on scam pages. Users typically access such webpages through redirects caused by websites that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser hijackers can also be "bundled" with regular programs. The risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system increases due to downloads from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Intrusive adverts spread browser-hijacking software as well. When clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Additionally, it is important to be cautious when installing software, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, etc.

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements may look harmless – however, they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

Should you keep encountering adverts/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Cloud Weather, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Cloud Weather browser hijacker:

Deceptive website promoting Cloud Weather browser hijacker:

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

Cloud 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.

Cloud 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 "Cloud 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 "Cloud Weather", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.cloudweatherext.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.cloudweatherext.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.cloudweatherext.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 "Cloud 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 "Cloud Weather", remove hxxp://search.cloudweatherext.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.cloudweatherext.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.cloudweatherext.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.cloudweatherext.com website?

Redirects to websites like search.cloudweatherext.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.

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

Most likely, yes. Sites like search.cloudweatherext.com usually collect information about their visitors with the purpose of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via bundled installation setups, untrustworthy download sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Cloud Weather browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective, particularly in cases where multiple browser hijackers are present. Since after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might restrict access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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