Reasons why you shouldn't use QuickWeatherAlert as your weather information provider
QuickWeatherAlert Toolbar is a browser extension created by Mindspark Interactive Network which claims to provide free weather forecast information. The extension is compatible with most of the popular browsers, including Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, IE, MS Edge and others. However, due to several negative features, such as questionable distribution method and hijacking web browsers, users sometimes label it as virus. Security experts are not as harsh with their judgements and classify the extension as a browser hijacker.[1]
The official website of the program promises to provide recent local weather forecasts, wind maps, and similar information. However, the installation of this program also leads to the changed homepage and default search engine.
The so-called QuickWeatherAlert virus is capable of changing default search engine to hp.myway.com which is known as a deceptive search tool too. The malware might also change various settings in order to prevent users from switching to another search provider.
If you download the extension from the website directly, you agree to make these changes. However, the parasite might also spread in software bundles and enter the system without asking user’s permissions. Thus, the appearance of a new homepage becomes a surprise.
After the hijack, it might be challenging to remove QuickWeatherAlert Toolbar. PUP might install additional components, browser helper objects, and similar entries to strengthen its presence. However, if you scan your device with FortectIntego or another anti-malware, you should not have any problems with hijacker’s elimination.
This application might cause three major issues:
- the search engine might alter search results and display sponsored links;
- the extension might deliver an excessive amount of ads;
- the application might track information about users.
First of all, QuickWeatherAlert’s suggested search tool may prevent from finding necessary information quickly. Authors of this free application generate advertising-based revenue. Thus, sponsored content might be included even in the results page.
Secondly, the extension might deliver lots of online ads, pop-ups, and banners while you’re browsing the web. They might be not only disturbing but also promote questionable content or redirect to potentially dangerous websites.
Thirdly, the Privacy Policy reveals that it might collect both personally[2] and non-personally identifiable information about users. What is more, they might allow third-parties to install their tracking technologies and spy on you too. Gathered details are usually used for advertising purposes. Thus, your browser and inbox might be flooded with commercial content.
What is more, the possibility that some of the personally identifiable details might be accessible to unknown people should encourage you for QuickWeatherAlert removal. If sensitive information ends up in the hands of criminals, you might experience money or data loss.
Hijacker hunts for careless users
There are numerous users in United States, China, Portugal[3] and other countries who have no idea that they are making a huge mistake by relying on “Quick” or “Recommended” installation settings for installation of freeware or shareware.
QuickWeatherAlert might hijack the PC when a user carelessly installs any free program. Often they are software packages that include third-party programs. Thus, if you do not unpack a program before installing it, you might unintentionally agree to let other PUPs to enter the system.
Bundling is the most common distribution strategy among developers of useless apps. Thus, you need to learn to install software correctly in order to avoid their negative features. The main rule is to install programs under “Advanced” or “Custom” settings.
The installation wizard will reveal the list of third-party apps. Here you might find not only QuickWeatherAlert but other programs from Mindspark and other developers as well. We suggest unmarking pre-selected entries and stop their entrance.
Explanation on how to uninstall QuickWeatherAlert Toolbar
QuickWeatherAlert is not a virus. It’s a potentially unwanted program (PUP). For this reason, you have to uninstall it like any other program or browser extension. However, if it sneaked into your device unexpectedly, you should also look up for other programs that may have been installed from the same bundle.
In order to remove QuickWeatherAlert Toolbar virus manually, you can follow our prepared instructions below. Do not forget to reset affected browsers as well. It’s necessary for deletion of tracking cookies and other “invisible” components.
However, you can speed up QuickWeatherAlert removal with anti-malware program. Automatic elimination requires scanning the computer with an updated security software.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
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