How to remove the Local Weather Alerts browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Local Weather Alerts?
Local Weather Alerts is advertised as an app that allows people to check weather forecasts. In fact, it promotes hlocalweatheralerts.co (the address of a fake search engine) by changing browser settings and gathers browsing-related data. Local Weather Alerts is a browser hijacker, a potentially unwanted application (PUA).
Most browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Local Weather Alerts sets them to hlocalweatheralerts.co. This fake search engine does not generate any unique results.
It redirects users to search.yahoo.com and simply displays results generated by the Yahoo search engine. Fake search engines are therefore useless. Typically, hijacked browsers can only be prevented from opening addresses of fake search engines by uninstalling the browser hijacker.
Local Weather Alerts and similar apps do not allow users to remove the address of the fake search engine from the aforementioned settings as long as they are installed. Furthermore, browser hijackers often collect browsing data such as IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of opened web pages, entered search queries, etc.
They can also record private, sensitive information, which is sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways. Apps such as Local Weather Alerts can cause problems relating to identity theft, online privacy, browsing safety, and other issues.
Therefore, Local Weather Alerts and any other installed browser hijackers should be uninstalled immediately.
| Name | Local Weather Alerts |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:AdwareSig [Adw]), AVG (Win32:AdwareSig [Adw]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/WinWrapper.V Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Win32.WebSearch.gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | Local Weather Alerts |
| Supposed Functionality | This app supposed allows users to check weather forecasts. |
| Promoted URL | hlocalweatheralerts.co |
| Serving IP Address (hlocalweatheralerts.co) | 107.21.238.247 |
| 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. |
Generally, browser hijackers are advertised as useful, legitimate apps that supposedly include various features, improve browsing safety and are useful in other ways. In fact, few of these apps function as promised. Most are useless and designed only to generate revenue for developers by gathering data and promoting fake search engines.
Some examples of other apps also categorized as browser hijackers are Protect My Search App, Search Power+ and Unit Conversion Tab.
How did Local Weather Alerts install on my computer?
PUAs are commonly downloaded and installed with other (usually free) programs when they are included into the software set-ups. This distribution method is called "bundling". Unwanted downloads and installations occur when people download or install programs without checking settings available in the set-ups.
I.e., they fail to decline offers to download or install additionally-included apps. These offers can usually be found in "Advanced", "Custom", and other similar settings of. Additionally, unwanted downloads and installations can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Software should not be downloaded or installed through dubious channels such as Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients), unofficial websites, third party downloaders, installed via third party installers, etc. These channels are often used to distribute PUAs and malicious apps.
Therefore, files and programs should be downloaded only from official pages and via direct links. Check all download and installation settings such as "Advanced" and "Custom" and decline offers to download or install additionally-included, potentially unwanted apps before completing the process.
Do not trust or click intrusive ads that appear on dubious web pages, since they can open other dubious pages or cause download/installation of unwanted programs. Remove any suspicious, unwanted extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser immediately.
The same should be applied to software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with Local Weather Alerts, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacke.
Local Weather Alerts browser hijacker installer:
Website promoting Local Weather Alerts 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 Alerts?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Local Weather Alerts application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hlocalweatheralerts.co redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Local Weather Alerts browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove hlocalweatheralerts.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove hlocalweatheralerts.co redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Local Weather Alerts 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 (for example, "Local Weather Alerts"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the hlocalweatheralerts.co website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Local Weather Alerts browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://hlocalweatheralerts.co and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Local Weather Alerts".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hlocalweatheralerts.co redirect, 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Local Weather Alerts" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
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 Alerts", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.hlocalweatheralerts.co) 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 "hlocalweatheralerts.co", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hlocalweatheralerts.co 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Local Weather Alerts", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "Local Weather Alerts", remove hxxp://hlocalweatheralerts.co 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 "I'll be careful, I promise!".
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 hlocalweatheralerts.co 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 hlocalweatheralerts.co 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 hlocalweatheralerts.co redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion