How do I remove Weatherblink?

QI have carelessly let something called Weatherblink on to my computer. I don’t know whether it’s dangerous but I don’t want it, and would value your advice on how it appeared and the best way to remove it. I’ve found online offers to remove but I don’t feel confident choosing one.

AWeatherblink isn’t itself dangerous but it absolutely is a PUP (or potentially unwanted program). It appears as a browser toolbar, but may also install other PUPS or browser extensions. It might also hijack your browser’s home page and default search engine, so you see pages you don’t want or doctored search results. Some of these search results could lead to further PUPS or tools that are actually harmful.

Unlike some PUPS, Weatherblink isn’t difficult to remove but, for the reasons explained, you’ll need to clean up a bit afterwards. You didn’t say which Windows version you use, nor which browser, but begin by opening Control Panel. In Windows 7, you’ll find this in the Start menu. Alternatively, or in later Windows editions, just click Start, type control panel then click Control Panel. Now, under Programs, click ‘Uninstall a program’. Scroll through the list to find and select Weatherblink, and then click ‘Uninstall/change’ followed by Uninstall to confirm.

That’s Weatherblink itself safely gone, but this is where the clean-up begins. While you’re in the ‘Uninstall or change a program’ section, take the time to work through everything else that’s installed, noting down anything you don’t recognise. We imagine you’ll need to use Google to research some of them but before you do that, remember that your browser (or browsers) may still harbour other dodgy extensions — and your default home page might have been changed.

In Microsoft Edge, open the menu (three dots, top right), then click Extensions and then use the buttons there to remove any you don’t recognise or want. Next, reset your home page. Open the menu again but this time click Settings. Next, under ‘Open Microsoft Edge with’ choose either ‘New tab page’ or ‘A specific page or pages’ and then type the relevant address(es) in the box below.

If you use Chrome, open the menu (three dots), click Settings followed by Advanced, then scroll all the way to the bottom to find and click ‘Reset settings’ (see screenshot). This will reset all browser settings back to their defaults, and disable all installed extensions.

To do much the same in Firefox, click in the address bar, type about:support and, on the right-hand side, click the Refresh Firefox button. Note that while this option in Chrome merely disables extensions, this Firefox feature will actually erase all add-ons – so you’ll need to reinstall any you wish to use.

Finally, in Internet Explorer, first click the Settings cog (top right) followed by ‘Internet options’. Then, in the Internet Options box, choose the Advanced tab and, below ‘Reset Internet Explorer settings’ at the bottom, click Reset followed by Reset to confirm.