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Removal instructions for the Local Weather Tab browser hijacker

Also Known As: localweathertab.com redirect
Damage level: Medium

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.

localweathertab.com browser hijacker

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 ExtensionStocks 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):

Local Weather Tab browser hijacker redirecting to Yahoo (GIF)

Permissions asked by Local Weather Tab browser hijacker:

Local Weather Tab browser hijacker asking for permissions

Website promoting Local Weather Tab browser hijacker:

Website used to promote 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:

Local Weather Tab browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

Browser-hijacking application uninstall via Control Panel

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:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing localweathertab.com related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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:

Removing localweathertab.com from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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:

Removing localweathertab.com from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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 Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing localweathertab.com related Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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:

Removing localweathertab.com from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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:

Removing localweathertab.com from Mozilla Firefox 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 Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button 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, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

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.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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 Microsoft Edge (Chromium) 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 Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA 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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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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