| Name | Weather Ping |
| Type | Adware, PUP, Browser Hijacker |
| Short Description | The application may be bundled with rogue software products and may have been employed for quick monetization purposes. |
| Symptoms | Users may experience unwanted advertisements, the browser’s settings may also be altered. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling, freeware installers, the official page. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By Weather Ping |
Weather Ping is advertised as a friendly application, designed to show real time weather updates from the desktop. The program is supposed to be compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8. It can be downloaded from its official website – weatherping(dot)com. However, the program may have been distributed in a bundled download and is related to the infamous MyStartSearch.com hijacker. Our security research indicates that Weather Ping may act as a potentially unwanted program. If you don’t recall downloading the program yourself, you may have encountered a bundled installer. In this case, consider scanning your system as soon as possible. Malware or riskware can be hiding in your system.
Weather Ping Distribution and Description
Weather Ping is currently available for download on its official website. It may also be promoted on freeware and shareware pages. Please note that potentially unwanted applications are often spread via various software bundlers and monetization platforms. Weather Ping may have relations with a range of third party software providers and services.
This is an excerpt from Weather Ping’s privacy policy (taken from the official page):
→5. Third Party Content and Services on the SOFTWARE PRODUCT
The SOFTWARE PRODUCT may contain user or third party content, information, opinions and services, including but not limited to User Submissions. Such third party content, information and opinions and third party services are not endorsed in any way by SOFTWARE PRODUCT and are provided solely as a convenience to SOFTWARE PRODUCT users. In no event will SOFTWARE PRODUCT be liable for loss or damage of any kind incurred by you due to your use of or reliance on any third party content, information and opinions that are posted, uploaded or otherwise made available on the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and/or through the SOFTWARE PRODUCT Site Services or for your use of any third party services made available through the SOFTWARE PRODUCT Site and /or the SOFTWARE PRODUCT Site Services.
Weather Ping Download and Behavior
During setup, the Weather Ping installer may promote the infamous browser hijacker mystartsearch(dot)com for a default search page, homepage and new tab page. This change is noted in the installer, however, there is no option to un-check it. Have a look at the image below:
As a result of the installation of Weather Ping, the browser’s home page, search page and new tab page will be changed to mystartsearch(dot)com. Reversing the browser’s settings to normal may be difficult to accomplish.
Must Read
How to Remove MyStartSearch(dot)com
Weather Ping’s installer may also be employed to promote other types of third-party software. For example, during the setup of the program, the user may be prompted to become a participant in a survey conducted by Relevant Knowledge.
Relevant Knowledge is a part of an online market research community with over 2 million members worldwide. The platform is close to Premium Opinion and other ad-driven applications.
Weather Ping Detection Report
The primary executable of the program has been analyzed by the VirusTotal scanner:
It is easy to assume that the program is ad-supported and, due to its bundled and monetizing practices, it turns out to be potentially unwanted as well.
Adware is not malicious but, in the long run, it becomes damaging to the PC. This is what we have discovered about adware applications:
- Adware adds tracking cookies to the browser to collect personally identifiable and non-identifiable information from users.
- Collected data may be sold or given to affiliate partners and third parties for the purpose of showing relevant advertisements – pop-ups, banners, in-text ads.
- Adware can be related to browser hijackers. As a result, the browser’s default settings will be changed and it may be impossible to reverse them.
- Adware can employ silent and unattended installers – the user will not be notified of any additional software downloaded to his PC.
NOTE
Weather Ping has been detected as a MultiBundle and Install Monetizer. Other unwanted applications may have been downloaded to the system in a silent manner. For example, RegClean Pro or other unwanted applications may have been downloaded alongside Weather Ping.
Weather Ping Removal Manual
Our research unambiguously demonstrates that Weather Ping and associated adware should be removed instantly from the computer. Since the system may have been modified by a hijacker, a full system scan is highly recommended.
However, if you feel confident enough that you can deal with the removal of the riskware alone, you can refer to our removal guide.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall Weather Ping in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall Weather Ping.
Step 2: Remove Weather Ping from your browser
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer
Remove a toolbar from Safari
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select Weather Ping and click “Remove”
After Weather Ping is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select Weather Ping to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After Weather Ping has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on Weather Ping
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Weather Ping. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Weather Ping will be removed.
In order to remove any associated objects that are left after uninstall and detect any other threats, you should:
Step 3: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove Weather Ping.
Removing Weather Ping from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Removing Weather Ping from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Substep 1:
Open the Start Menu
Substep 2:
Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Substep 3:
After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Substep 4:
You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Substep 5:
After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Substep 6:
Click on Restart.
Substep 7:
A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove Weather Ping.
Step 4: Remove Weather Ping automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all Weather Ping associated objects.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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How to Remove Weather Ping from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Weather Ping with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Weather Ping and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Weather Ping on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Weather Ping there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for Weather Ping (Windows).
Get rid of Weather Ping from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Weather Ping and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Weather Ping. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Weather Ping via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Weather Ping files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Weather Ping, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Weather Ping (Mac)
Remove Weather Ping from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase Weather Ping from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall Weather Ping from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove Weather Ping from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Weather Ping will be removed.
Eliminate Weather Ping from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Weather Ping-FAQ
What Is Weather Ping?
The Weather Ping threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Weather Ping?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Weather Ping?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Weather Ping Work?
Once installed, Weather Ping can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Weather Ping can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Weather Ping Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Weather Ping Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Weather Ping how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Weather Ping?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Weather Ping threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.