Do you know what FreeLocalWeather Toolbar is?
There are lots of worthless and potentially harmful free browser extensions on the web that try to convince you to install them; FreeLocalWeather Toolbar is one of those. Although it advertises itself as a useful tool that provides you with quick links to local weather and related websites, unfortunately, at the same time, it has the potential to expose you to more malware infections and other security threats. This toolbar may also travel with other infections; therefore, its presence is definitely no good news for users. That is why we recommend that you remove FreeLocalWeather Toolbar as soon as possible, if your virtual security is important for you.
FreeLocalWeather Toolbar is very similar to ConvertDocsNow Toolbar and InboxNow Toolbar, which we have covered lately, and they come from the same family of toolbars called Mindspark. Usually they have authentic-looking official websites from where you can directly download or install the extensions. However, our researchers have found that this toolbar can also come in a freeware bundle and that is how most unsuspecting users get infected with it. The bad news is, if you have FreeLocalWeather Toolbar on your system, there is a good chance that you have more infections to worry about. Third-party installers may use these free software packages to include adware and other more serious threats. If you are unlucky, it is possible that deleting this toolbar will not solve all your security issues. Most users fail to realize that they have an opportunity during the installation process when they can deselect the unwanted tools and applications. In this toolbar’s case, for example, you may be surprised to find Ask.com as your new home page and search engine in all the major browsers if you have skipped this step.
FreeLocalWeather Toolbar screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Since FreeLocalWeather Toolbar is a free browser extension, the publisher, Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc., makes money out of your clicks on certain third-party ads and sponsored links it may inject into modified Ask.com search result pages. You need to understand the hidden danger in clicking on a potentially corrupted link. Since Mindspark cannot and will not guarantee the safety and content of the linked third-party websites, it possible to navigate to a website that is operated by cyber criminals who want to get hold of your personal or banking details, or simply infect you with more malicious programs. Either way, deleting FreeLocalWeather Toolbar is the best solution to save you from these threats.
While it is definitely not too complicated to get rid of FreeLocalWeather Toolbar, you need to know that it is not enough to uninstall it via Control Panel. The extensions will still remain in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, and there is also the issue with the home page and search engine that point to Ask.com. Therefore, it is best to reset all your browsers to make sure that this toolbar does not come back to life. You do not need to worry if you are not a tech guru, we provide you with a step-by-step removal guide to make it all easier for you. Keep in mind, though, that your system may not be perfectly restored due to other potential threats. We recommend using an authentic antimalware application to automatically check for these hidden infections and clean them from your computer.
How to remove FreeLocalWeather Toolbar
Windows 8/Windows 8.1
- Press Win+R and type in control panel. Click OK.
- Select Uninstall a program.
- Right-click on the undesirable program and select Uninstall.
Windows Vista/Windows 7
- Open the Start menu and choose Control Panel.
- Select Uninstall a program.
- Click on the program and click Uninstall.
Windows XP
- Click Start and select Control Panel.
- Click Add or Remove Programs.
- Select the undesirable program and click Remove.
How to reset your browsers
Google Chrome
- Access the Menu and select Settings.
- Click Show advanced settings at the bottom.
- Scroll down and click Reset settings. Click Reset.
Internet Explorer
- Tap Alt+T and select Internet Options.
- Choose the Advanced tab and click Reset.
- Tick the Delete personal settings checkbox.
- Click Reset and click Close.
Mozilla Firefox
- Tap Alt+H simultaneously and go to Troubleshooting Information.
- Click Refresh Firefox at the top.
- In the confirmation window click Refresh Firefox again.
- Click Finish.
In non-techie terms:
FreeLocalWeather Toolbar is a useless browser extension that might put your operating system into danger. Its presence might expose you and your computer to cyber criminals who might cause you more problems you can imagine. We recommend that you clean your PC from this toolbar along with all the other potentially harmful applications that might have come in the same software package. You have a comfortable solution besides trying to take care of the threats manually if you decide to use a professional, automated antimalware tool.