Weather New Tab Browser Extension

Weather New Tab is a browser extension that our research team recently discovered while conducting routine inspections of deceptive websites. This extension claims to provide easy access to weather forecasts and related information.

However, upon thorough examination, we found that Weather New Tab is, in fact, a browser hijacker that redirects users to the weathernewtab.com fake search engine. When tested on our machine, Weather New Tab changed the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URL to weathernewtab.com. Consequently, every time we opened a new tab or conducted a web search using the URL bar, we were redirected to the weathernewtab.com website.

It is important to note that browser hijackers often use persistence-ensuring techniques to make their removal challenging and prevent users from restoring their browsers to their original settings.

Fake search engines like weathernewtab.com typically do not generate genuine search results; instead, they redirect users to legitimate internet search websites. During our research, weathernewtab.com produced various redirects, some leading to Bing (bing.com), while others redirected to the nearbyme.io fake search engine.

Although nearbyme.io might produce search results, we observed that these results were often inaccurate and included irrelevant, sponsored, unreliable, deceptive, and potentially malicious content. However, the redirections from weathernewtab.com could vary based on factors like user geolocation.

Furthermore, Weather New Tab likely incorporates data-tracking functionalities. The targeted information may encompass browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses (geolocations), internet cookies, login credentials, personally identifiable details, financial-related information, and more.

Overall, Weather New Tab presents itself as a weather-related extension but actually operates as a browser hijacker, redirecting users to a fake search engine with questionable search results and potentially tracking sensitive data. As such, users should exercise caution and take necessary security measures to avoid potential risks associated with this browser extension.

What Are Browser Hijackers?

Browser hijackers are a type of potentially unwanted software (PUP) or malware that alter the settings of a web browser without the user's consent or knowledge. These malicious programs or extensions modify the browser's homepage, default search engine, new tab page, and other settings to redirect users to unwanted websites or display intrusive and deceptive content.

The main goals of browser hijackers are to:

• Redirect Web Traffic: Browser hijackers force the user's browser to visit specific websites, often to generate traffic and ad revenue for the hijacker's creators. These websites may be filled with advertisements, phishing attempts, or other harmful content.
• Promote Fake Search Engines: Some browser hijackers replace the default search engine with a fake one that appears legitimate but actually provides manipulated search results, including sponsored links and deceptive content.
• Display Advertisements: Browser hijackers can inject numerous ads, pop-ups, banners, and sponsored links into web pages visited by the user, disrupting their browsing experience and potentially exposing them to unsafe content.
• Gather User Data: Many browser hijackers track users' browsing habits, search queries, and other online activities to collect valuable user data. This data may then be sold to third parties for marketing purposes or used for other malicious activities.
• Install Unwanted Software: In some cases, browser hijackers can install other unwanted software or extensions on the user's system, further compromising their privacy and security.