Removal instructions for The Weather Mom browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is The Weather Mom?
The Weather Mom browser extension promises easy access to weather forecasts. After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. The Weather Mom modifies browser settings to promote theweathermom.com and find.searchfuel.net fake search engines.
The Weather Mom browser hijacker overview
Browser-hijacking software assigns promoted websites as browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs. Typically, these settings are changed to the same webpage.
However, while The Weather Mom promotes theweathermom.com, entering a search query into the URL bar results in redirects to the find.searchfuel.net site.
Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. The pages endorsed by The Weather Mom are not exceptions. At the time of research, find.searchfuel.net landed on the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that factors like user geolocation may influence redirects.
In many cases, browser hijackers employ persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes – to complicate their removal.
Furthermore, software within this classification typically has data-tracking abilities, and this might be true of The Weather Mom. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The gathered information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like The Weather Mom on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | The Weather Mom |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | The Weather Mom |
| Supposed Functionality | Easy access to weather forecasts |
| Promoted URL | theweathermom.com, find.searchfuel.net |
| Detection Names (theweathermom.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (theweathermom.com) | 52.216.44.125 |
| Detection Names (find.searchfuel.net) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (find.searchfuel.net) | 108.156.91.20 |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
Converter Tab, Forest New Tab, Beautiful Beach Tab, and Best Friend Backgrounds are just some examples of browser hijackers we have examined recently. This software usually appears legitimate and offers various "handy" functionalities. However, these features rarely work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
It must be stressed that even if a piece of software operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did The Weather Mom install on my computer?
Browser-hijacking software can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is endorsed on deceptive/scam sites. Most users access these pages via redirects caused by websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
"Bundling" – packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements – is also used to distribute browser hijackers.
The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, it is important to read terms, inspect available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additions (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.).
Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, despite their ordinary/innocuous appearance – intrusive ads redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
If you keep encountering adverts and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with The Weather Mom, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by The Weather Mom browser hijacker:
Appearance of find.searchfuel.net 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 The Weather Mom?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove The Weather Mom browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove theweathermom.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue redirects from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
The Weather Mom 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.
The Weather Mom 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 Mom" 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 Mom", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.theweathermom.com or hxxp://www.find.searchfuel.net) 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 "theweathermom.com" or "find.searchfuel.net", 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 theweathermom.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 Mom", 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 Mom", remove hxxp://theweathermom.com or hxxp://find.searchfuel.net 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 theweathermom.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 theweathermom.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:
If you have additional information on theweathermom.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit theweathermom.com and find.searchfuel.net websites?
Redirects to webpages like theweathermom.com and find.searchfuel.net are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through them.
Is visiting theweathermom.com or find.searchfuel.net a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites classified as fake search engines (e.g., theweathermom.com, find.searchfuel.net, etc.) typically collect visitor data. This information can then be sold to third-parties.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
The most widely used distribution methods include: bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove The Weather Mom browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all browser-hijacking applications installed. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security software) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might be capable of denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion