How to remove The Weather Tab browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is The Weather Tab?
In our examination of The Weather Tab, our team observed characteristics commonly linked to a browser hijacker. Typically, these applications hijack web browsers by altering their settings and often promote fake search engines. Users frequently unintentionally download and add such apps to their browsers.
The Weather Tab browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers are notorious for changing the settings of hijacked web browsers to endorse different websites. Our findings reveal that The Weather Tab promotes website the-weather-tab.com, a fake search engine. Upon entering a search query on this site, users are redirected to bing.com, a legitimate search engine.
To promote the-weather-tab.com, The Weather Tab modifies the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page settings in the browser. It is important to be aware that the fake search engines promoted by browser hijackers can present altered or biased search results, leading to privacy issues.
For instance, fake search engines can promote various scams or potentially malicious apps. Another reason to avoid using fake search engines and browser hijackers is their ability to collect data. They may gather browsing history, search queries, IP addresses, geolocation data, and other details for targeted advertising or other purposes.
| Name | The Weather Tab |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | The Weather Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | the-weather-tab.com |
| Detection Names (the-weather-tab.com) | Seclookup (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (the-weather-tab.com) | 104.21.73.186 |
| 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), fake Flash Player installers. |
| 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. |
More about apps of this type
Removing browser hijackers can be difficult due to their persistent nature. They have a tendency to continuously modify browser settings and deeply embed themselves into the system, making them resistant to standard uninstallation methods. Moreover, they may employ tactics like self-reinstallation or modifying system files to thwart removal attempts.
More examples of apps that function as browser hijackers are Weather New Tab, Your Best World News Extension, and Dancing Tubes.
How did The Weather Tab install on my computer?
Users may find their browsers hijacked through different methods, with one common approach being the installation of software from unreliable sources. Browser hijackers can be bundled with such software without the user's knowledge or awareness.
Browser hijacking can also occur by clicking malicious links or ads, particularly on suspicious websites. Moreover, falling prey to phishing attacks, opening infected email attachments, or downloading fake software updates can lead to browser hijacking.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download software, browser extensions, and updates exclusively from reputable and official websites or verified stores. Steer clear of downloading from unfamiliar or suspicious sources, such as shady websites, third-party stores, third-party downloaders, and P2P networks.
Additionally, avoid clicking on suspicious ads, pop-ups, or links, and refrain from allowing dubious websites to send notifications. During program installations, opt for the "Custom" or "Advanced" options to review and reject any bundled apps or unwanted offers. If your computer is already infected with The Weather Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
The-weather-tab.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by The Weather Tab browser hijacker:
Website promoting The Weather Tab browser hijacker:
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is The Weather Tab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall The Weather Tab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove The Weather Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove the-weather-tab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove the-weather-tab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
The Weather Tab 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 (which cause browser redirects to the the-weather-tab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
The Weather Tab 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "The Weather Tab" 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 "The Weather Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.the-weather-tab.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 "the-weather-tab.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 the-weather-tab.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 "The Weather Tab", 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 "The Weather Tab", remove hxxp://the-weather-tab.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 the-weather-tab.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 the-weather-tab.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.
Post a comment:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit the-weather-tab.com website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the-weather-tab.com website is to generate traffic to the website and increase ad revenue.
Is visiting the-weather-tab.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines are known for collecting user data and search queries to be used for various purposes, including targeted advertising, data profiling, or even selling information to third parties. Thus, visiting the-weather-tab.com can pose a threat to your privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
A browser hijacker may have infiltrated your computer through freeware or software downloaded from untrusted sources, malicious links, dubious ads, or files from suspicious websites.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove The Weather Tab browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner is designed to scan your computer and remove existing browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal might not always be sufficient, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present, and they have mechanisms to re-install each other. In such cases, users have to remove browser hijackers simultaneously.
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