Removal instructions for the Art And Weather browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is Art And Weather?
Our research team discovered the Art And Weather browser extension while investigating dubious websites. It is endorsed as a tool that displays browser wallpapers and provides easy access to weather forecasts.
After examining this extension, we learned that it modifies browser settings to promote (via redirects) the artandweather.co fake search engine. This behavior classifies Art And Weather as browser-hijacking software.
Art And Weather browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers operate by assigning the addresses of promoted websites as browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs.
Art And Weather makes these modifications as well. Therefore, with this extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries performed through the URL bar – result in redirects to the artandweather.co site.
Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. Artandweather.co is not an exception to this; at the time of research, it redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, keep in mind that artandweather.co could lead elsewhere since redirects may be affected by factors like user geolocation.
Browser-hijacking software commonly uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.
Furthermore, Art And Weather has data-tracking abilities. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, Internet cookies, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The collected information can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
To summarize, the presence of software like Art And Weather on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Art And Weather |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Art And Weather |
| Supposed Functionality | Browser wallpapers and easy access to weather forecasts |
| Promoted URL | artandweather.co |
| Detection Names (artandweather.co) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (artandweather.co) | 143.198.168.30 |
| 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
We have investigated countless browser hijackers; Forestab, Recycling Tree, Trade Econ, and Architecture Backgrounds are merely some examples.
Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and harmless. It also offers a wide variety of "handy" functionalities, which are rarely operational. Note that even if a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Art And Weather install on my computer?
We acquired Art And Weather from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such pages, browser hijackers are endorsed on deceptive/scam sites. Users typically enter these pages via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.
Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with (packed alongside) ordinary programs. The risk of allowing bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).
Intrusive advertisements spread browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of the ads can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly advise researching software and downloading it from official/verified channels. Another recommendation is to treat installation processes with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary applications, extensions, tools, features, and so forth.
It is essential to be vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, while intrusive adverts may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, scam-promoting, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with ads/redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Art And Weather, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Art And Weather browser hijacker:
Website promoting Art And Weather browser hijacker:
Appearance of artandweather.co 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Art And Weather?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Art And Weather browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove artandweather.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove artandweather.co redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Art And Weather 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.
Art And Weather 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 "Art And Weather" 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 "Art And Weather", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.artandweather.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 "artandweather.co", 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 artandweather.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 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 "Art And Weather", 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 "Art And Weather", remove hxxp://artandweather.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 "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 artandweather.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 artandweather.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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit artandweather.co website?
Redirects to websites like artandweather.co are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.
Is visiting artandweather.co a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like artandweather.co often operate by collecting (and selling) visitor data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily proliferated via bundled installers, online scams, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Art And Weather browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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