Do you know what Search.htheweathercenter.co is?
Search.htheweathercenter.co is most likely a clone of Search.theweathercenter.co and same as its older version it is considered to be a browser hijacker. If you had a misfortune to encounter this annoying application you probably came here to learn how to erase this questionable tool from your browser. Luckily, there are a couple of options we could offer, for example, deleting Search.htheweathercenter.co manually while following the removal guide located at the end of this report. Further, in the text, we will offer even more information about the threat, so it would be advisable to read the rest of the article if your goal is also to get to know this browser hijacker better and learn how to stay away from suspicious applications alike in the future.
Same as the clone we mentioned at the beginning, Search.htheweathercenter.co might be distributed with unreliable browser extensions. Such applications can reach users through suspicious pop-up ads, bundled installers downloaded from untrustworthy file-sharing web pages, and so on. Therefore, we believe it would be wise to be more careful with any program that is suggested on questionable pop-up ads, P2P file-sharing networks, etc. Users should try to pay more attention to the installation process too. During it, you might be able to choose custom or advanced installation settings which could allow you to deselect bundled software you do not need or believe to be potentially dangerous. Another safety precaution we can recommend is keeping a reputable antimalware tool installed. Such a tool should come from reliable publishers, and it must always be up to date so it could stop newer threats as well.
Our researchers noticed that if this browser hijacker manages to enter the system, it may replace user’s default search provider, homepage, or even new tab page. Since there is a possibility, the threat might show users third-party advertising content through its displayed search results we believe the mentioned changes are done in order to make the user search the Internet with Search.htheweathercenter.co and generate advertising revenue from his clicks. Possible third-party content is mentioned both in the software’s End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy documents. For instance, the Privacy Policy statements say the search engine could gather particular user’s data and share it with “third-party advertising networks and advertisers who help deliver relevant ads.”
Search.htheweathercenter.co screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
However, the application’s creators do not take any responsibility for such content, and so we believe there are no guarantees the third-party advertising content will be reliable, for example, it might advertise sites distributing malware or threats similar to the browser hijacker, etc. Moreover, you could encounter ads originating from scam web pages, such as pop-ups with fake lottery winnings, surveys, and more. Thus, clicking suspicious advertisements could be dangerous not just for your computer’s security, but also for your privacy. For this reason, we urge our readers not to waste any time with this questionable tool and get rid of Search.htheweathercenter.co immediately.
As it was said at the beginning of the report, there is a way to eliminate this browser hijacker manually. Anyone who feels up to such a task should have a look at the removal guide placed below the main text since it will explain the process in detail. The second option is to install a trustworthy antimalware tool and use its scanning feature to both detect and erase the browser hijacker.
Remove Search.htheweathercenter.co
Internet Explorer
- Press Windows Key+R.
- Insert Regedit and select Enter.
- Locate the given location: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Find a value name called Start Page.
- Right-click it and press Modify.
- Replace http://Search.htheweathercenter.co with a reliable link and click OK.
- Leave the Registry Editor.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Windows Key+E.
- Look for the provided path: C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID}
- Locate a file called Prefs.js.
- Open it as a Notepad document.
- Search for the provided code line: user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “http://Search.htheweathercenter.co”).
- Replace http://Search.htheweathercenter.co with a trustworthy link.
- Press Ctrl+S.
- Close the document.
Google Chrome
- Press Windows Key+E.
- Search for this path :C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
- Locate files titled Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.
- Right-click each file separately and select Delete.
- Close the File Explorer.
In non-techie terms:
Search.htheweathercenter.co might not look potentially dangerous, but the research shows it could distribute unreliable third-party advertising content, for example, pop-up, banners, sponsored links, and other. The problem is such content may come from unknown sources, which means some of it might redirect the user to malicious web pages designed to spread infections, scam the user, etc. If you would rather avoid such content, we would advise you to replace the browser hijacker and pick a more reputable search engine instead of it. To erase the threat manually, you should have a look at the removal guide placed above this paragraph. On the other hand, you can get rid of it automatically with a reliable antimalware tool as well, so do not hesitate to do so if the manual deletion seems to be too complicated.