Removal instructions for the Local Weather Tab browser hijacker

What kind of software is Local Weather Tab?

Local Weather Tab is a rogue browser extension found by our researchers during a routine investigation of dubious sites. After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. Local Weather Tab modifies browsers to promote (via redirects) the localweathertab.com fake search engine.

Local Weather Tab browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers assign endorsed websites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Local Weather Tab changes these settings to localweathertab.com. Therefore, when a new browser tab/window is opened or a search query is entered into the URL bar – it results in redirects to the localweathertab.com page.

It is noteworthy that browser-hijacking software commonly utilizes persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent browser recovery.

Fake search engines typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search sites. In the case of localweathertab.com, it redirects to the Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). It is pertinent to mention that this webpage could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may influence redirects.

Furthermore, Local Weather Tab might have data-tracking abilities. Browser hijackers usually target the following information: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Local Weather Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Local Weather Tab
Promoted URL	localweathertab.com
Detection Names (localweathertab.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (localweathertab.com)	172.67.200.95
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 numerous browser hijackers; Military Pride Extension, Stocks Manager, and Author Pics Default Search are just some examples.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers various functionalities. These features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Keep in mind that even if a piece of software operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not irrefutable proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Local Weather Tab install on my computer?

We acquired Local Weather Tab from a webpage promoting it. Browser hijackers are endorsed on legitimate-looking download pages and scam sites. Users predominantly access such webpages via redirects generated by misspelled URLs, websites that employ rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Browser hijackers can also be bundled with regular programs. The threat of unintentionally permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Intrusive adverts proliferate this software as well. Some of these advertisements can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing it. All downloads must be made from official and verified sources. When installing, it is important to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

We also advise being careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless – yet redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., adult dating, scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, etc.).

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

Appearance of localweathertab.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Local Weather Tab browser hijacker:

Website promoting Local 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:
▼ 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 Local Weather Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Local Weather Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove localweathertab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove localweathertab.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Local 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Local Weather Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Local Weather Tab browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

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 "Local 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 "Local Weather Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.localweathertab.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 "localweathertab.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 localweathertab.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 "Local 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 "Local Weather Tab", remove hxxp://localweathertab.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 localweathertab.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 localweathertab.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 localweathertab.com website?

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

Is visiting localweathertab.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites categorized as fake search engines (e.g., localweathertab.com, etc.) typically collect information about their visitors. This data may be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software is primarily distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Local Weather Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all browser-hijacking apps that are present. Note that manual removal (performed without security tools) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible when this software is installed. Hence, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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