How to remove Weatherly browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is Weatherly?

Weatherly is a rogue extension classed as a browser hijacker. This piece of software makes alterations to browser settings in order to generate redirects. Weatherly also collects sensitive browsing-related data.

Weatherly browser hijacker overview

Typically, browser hijackers assign fake search engines as browsers' default, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – result in redirects to the endorsed website. Fraudulent search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they can lead to genuine Internet search sites.

Weatherly modifies browsers in this manner as well; however, its redirects do not land on a fake search engine. At the time of research, this extension redirected users straight to Google (google.com). Keep in mind that Weatherly could produce different redirects, as they may be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software commonly uses persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as blocking access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

What is more, software within this classification tends to have data-tracking functionalities, and Weatherly is not an exception. Information of interest may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. This vulnerable information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of software like Weatherly on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Weatherly
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Weatherly
Promoted URL	google.com
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 investigated countless browser hijackers; Author Pics Default Search, Cute Foxes, and Words Finder are merely a couple of examples. Browser-hijacking software rarely appears illegitimate or otherwise suspicious – it tends to look ordinary and harmless.

Users may be lured into downloading/installing this software by promises of various "handy" functionalities. However, these functions are usually fake and nonoperational – as their only purpose is to serve as bait.

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

How did Weatherly install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can be bundled with regular programs. Downloading from freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other dubious channels – can result in bundled content infiltrating the system. This risk is compounded by treating installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring times, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Additionally, browser-hijacking software is endorsed on legitimate-looking promotional webpages and scam sites. Most visitors access them via redirects generated by websites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Some intrusive adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform downloads/installations without user permission. These advertisements are also utilized to proliferate browser hijackers.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software prior to downloading or purchasing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be made from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, it is essential to read terms, investigate available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.

Fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous – therefore, we advise caution when browsing. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

If you keep encountering advertisements 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 Weatherly, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of Weatherly redirecting to the Google search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Weatherly 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:
▼ 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 Weatherly?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Weatherly browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove browser hijacker homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove rogue redirects from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Weatherly 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.

Weatherly 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 "Weatherly" 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 "Weatherly", look for the promoted URL (hxxp://www.google.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 "google.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 weatherly 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 "Weatherly", 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 "Weatherly", remove hxxp://google.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 weatherly 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 weatherly 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 weatherly 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 google.com website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through rogue redirects. When the promoted website is legitimate, the motivation could be to acquire illegitimate commissions by abusing the site's affiliate programs.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution methods include bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Weatherly browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning computers and eliminating detected browser-hijacking applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security programs) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with this software installed. Therefore, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion