Malware is masquerading as Microsoft's next-gen operating system to
infect unsuspecting users' systems.
Malware is being distributed using a fake Windows 11 installer, according to
Kaspersky. The security firm says one example malware contained in a file
called "86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe" increased its
file size to 1.75GB using "one DLL file that contains a lot of useless
information" to create the illusion that it was a legitimate Windows 11
installation tool. That illusion extended beyond the size of the executable
file, too.
Kaspersky says opening that file invokes a series of installers resembling
"an ordinary Windows installation wizard," complete with a license agreement
that notes "that it would also install some sponsored software." Which is
true, in a sense, except in this case the additional software in question is
malware rather than a pre-installed version of a game like Candy Crush.
The installed malware "can be very wide-ranging—from relatively harmless
adware, which our solutions classify as not-a-virus, to full-fledged
Trojans, password stealers, exploits, and other nasty stuff," the company
says. It's not clear if some of these schemes eventually install Windows 11
as well or if they all leave victims with their existing version of Windows
instead.
Kaspersky says its security offerings "have already defeated several hundred
infection attempts that used similar Windows 11–related schemes." The
company advises PC users looking to use Windows 11 ahead of its official
release to join the Windows Insider Program—which is currently the only
legitimate way to install the operating system—instead of downloading shady
files.
Credit: pcmag.com
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