Do you know what EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar is?
If you have recently installed a browser extension called EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar, then we have some news for you. It is a malicious application that you ought to remove because it is programmed to hijack your browser’s homepage and new tab page. Hence, its developer wants you to use its accompanying search engine Hp.myway.com. The problem is that its search results are bound to contain promotional links of unverified legitimacy and, given its developer’s track record, it is possible that this search engine can show you links to dangerous websites. In short, both EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar and Hp.myway.com are undesirable, and you should not have them on your browser.
EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar is a browser extension designed for compatibility with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Once it is installed on your PC and, by extension, your web browser, it will replace the homepage and new tab page address with Hp.myway.com, a shady search engine that processes the entered search queries through Google. Indeed, you get Google’s search results, but with the added “bonus” of additional links that we think can be unreliable and even dangerous. Both Hp.myway.com and EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar were created by IAC Applications, formerly known as Mindspark. This company is in the online advertising business, and we have no doubt that some of its links can redirect to malicious sites. Therefore, you should refrain from using Hp.myway.com altogether.
EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Interestingly, EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar is promoted as a useful application that does not promote its accompanying search engine explicitly. Its website at Easyweatheralert.com is set to give you the impression that this toolbar will inform you about the weather for free. While it is true that this toolbar can provide you with information about the weather, the downside is that this toolbar is not all that useful as it just features links to weather forecasting-related websites. So, rest assured that all this weather nonsense is just a disguise because the real purpose of this extension is to inject Hp.myway.com.
As mentioned earlier, IAC Applications is in the online advertising business and has been in it for a long time. This company releases various adware-type applications and malicious toolbars all of the time. For example, we have found its previous releases OnlineMapFinder Toolbar, EasyHomeDecorating Toolbar, SendFilesFree Toolbar, and StrataBeauty malicious. Furthermore, IAC Applications owns Easyweatheralert.com, and it was set to promote and distribute this toolbar in particular. However, that is not the only distribution channel used to disseminate this application. Our security experts have found that the Chrome version can be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store. However, both the Chrome Web Store and Easyweatheralert.com are legitimate distribution channels, but there is one that is the least known about. Researchers have received information that suggests that EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar is being bundled with malicious software bundle installers that are set to install this toolbar without your knowledge or authorization. So there is a good chance that you can accidentally install it by installing alleged freeware.
In summary, EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar looks like a legitimate browser extension but certainly is not. Our researchers say that it is malicious because it can replace your browser’s new tab page and homepage without your knowledge or authorization. Furthermore, since its developers are only interested in making money, its accompanying search engine can feature shady promotional links that can compromise your computer’s security. Therefore, we highly recommend that you remove this toolbar as soon as possible. We recommend using a powerful antimalware program or our guide featured below.
Uninstall this program from Control Panel
Windows XP
- Open the Start menu.
- Open Control Panel and click Add or Remove Programs.
- Find EasyWeatherAlert Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab
- Click Remove.
Windows Vista and Windows 7
- Open the Start menu.
- Open Control Panel and click Uninstall a Program.
- Find EasyWeatherAlert Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab
- Click Uninstall.
Windows 8 and 8.1
- Open the Charm bar.
- Click Settings, and select Control Panel.
- Find EasyWeatherAlert Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab.
- Click Uninstall.
Windows 10
- Type Control Panel in the search bar located on the Taskbar.
- Go to Uninstall a program.
- Find EasyWeatherAlert Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab
- Click Uninstall.
Remove the browser extension
Google Chrome
- Simultaneously press Alt+F.
- Select More tools.
- Choose Extensions.
- Find EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar and click Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- Simultaneously press Ctrl+Shift+A.
- Click Extensions.
- Find EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar.
- Click Remove.
In non-techie terms:
EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar is malicious toolbar developed by IAC Applications. It is promoted as a weather app but its true purpose is to replace your browser’s homepage and new tab pages to force you to use its accompanying search engine. The problem we have with the search engine is that it can feature shady and even dangerous promotional links. If you want to keep your computer out of harm’s way, you should delete it as soon as you can.