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What is WeatherBug?

Created by Earth Networks, Inc, WeatherBug is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to enable users to observe weather forecasts. This may seem legitimate and useful functionality, however, be aware that WeatherBug is considered to be adware.

This PUP employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications together with the chosen software) to install on computers without users' consent.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, WeatherBug generates various intrusive online advertisements such as banner, in-text, and pop-up ads. It is highly probable that clicking these advertisements will lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, WeatherBug continually tracks users' Internet browsing activity by recording various software and hardware information that is likely to be personally identifiable. For example: geographic locations, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, browser data (cookies and web beacons), and other similar details.

This behavior may lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. WeatherBug is similar to other potentially unwanted programs that use bundling as an installation method. Examples include LookThisUp, ArcadeGiant, WalletBee, and Desktop Temperature Monitor among many others.

Neither WeatherBug, nor any of these other PUPs provide any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by sharing collected information with third parties, delivering intrusive online ads, and enforcing unwanted browser redirects. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to eliminate WeatherBug from your Internet browsers.

Close examination of WeatherBug reveals that it is mostly distributed via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, soft32.com, and many others.

Download clients are used to monetize these websites' free services and traffic by offering installation of advertised (according to the developers, '100% legitimate') applications together with the chosen free software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

To avoid installation of WeatherBug, or other similar adware, pay close attention when downloading free software and never accept installation of any additional applications offered.

Furthermore, if you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Typical' or 'Quick', since this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them.

If you have already installed WeatherBug and you experience intrusive online ads while surfing the Internet, follow the removal guide below to uninstall this adware from your Internet browsers.

WeatherBug application:

Deceptive free software installers used in WeatherBug distribution:

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Quick menu:

• What is WeatherBug?
• STEP 1. Uninstall WeatherBug application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove WeatherBug related adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove WeatherBug bundled adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove WeatherBug related plugins from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove WeatherBug extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

WeatherBug adware 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 "WeatherBug", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes WeatherBug ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove WeatherBug adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, WeatherBug installed no browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gears" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the weatherbug desktop widget, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the weatherbug desktop widget, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove any recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with weatherbug desktop widget 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the weatherbug desktop widget, 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:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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