Dangerous malware disguised as a Windows update: How you can protect yourself now
Created: 04/22/2022, 17:51
By: Magdalena von Zumbusch
Antivirus programs such as Microsoft Defender are designed to protect against Trojans, spyware and other online threats.
© Robert Günther/dpa-tmn
Be careful when using Windows: Upgrades to Windows 11 are being made available online via a fake Microsoft website.
The updates install malware on users.
Munich - Cyber security specialists warn of dangerous malware when downloading Microsoft updates.
Read here how you can protect yourself.
Cyber scam: Deceptively genuine Microsoft website
Cyber crime is a growing problem, also in Bavaria.
A new case is currently being reported: Cyber scammers have recreated a Microsoft website in a deceptively real way, according to experts from the Indian company CloudSEK (a specialist in cyber security) in a report.
This website is supposed to provide users with an upgrade to Windows 11.
Through search engine optimization, the criminals bring the site high in the search results.
If a user now clicks on the page, the fake upgrade loads and installs itself on the Windows PC.
Further malicious programs are then loaded.
These aim to steal sensitive user data.
The software scans folders, the browser and even the cache.
Crypto wallets will also be searched, according to the report.
Video: Cyber crime in Bavaria: an ever-increasing problem
Scam website 'windows11-upgrade11.com' blocked, but malware may still be online
The scammers used the "windows11-upgrade11.com" website to distribute the malware.
This page has since been blocked and is no longer accessible.
Nevertheless, Windows users who want to upgrade to the next version of the operating system should be careful.
The software could be further distributed on other fake sites.
You can protect yourself by only getting a Windows 11 upgrade from trusted sources.
The system information of many Microsoft-powered PCs provides secure software when an update is initiated.
Incidentally, security gaps were also discovered in the popular Google Chrome browser last month, which have not yet been completely closed.
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