Fake Windows 11 Upgrade Installs Malware & Steals Information

Header

Author: Trend Micro

May 2, 2022

This article is from Trend Micro

Hackers have been tricking people into installing a fake malware-infected, information-stealing Windows 11 upgrade through clever manipulation of internet search results.

Windows 11 fake upgrade explained

Hackers have created a near carbon copy of the Microsoft website but infected it with malicious software. When people search “Windows 11 upgrade” or something similar, it’s possible that one of the results high up on the list is the hackers’ nefarious website.

The fake Microsoft website. Source: Bleeping Computer

Once they are on the website, if a victim were to click the “DOWNLOAD NOW” button, instead of the legitimate Windows 11 upgrade, they would download a malware application specifically designed to steal their web browser data and cryptocurrency wallet information.

This malware is capable of stealing information from many different web browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Opera, and lots more.

If you’re interested in learning all the technical information about this malware and how it’s able to stealthily steal so much sensitive information, check out Bleeping Computer’s post here.

How to stay protected

Trend Micro Check can protect you against malicious websites such as the one mentioned in this post by alerting you to the fact that things are not as they seem well before you’re able to download anything dangerous. If you want a worry-free, 100% secure internet experience, download Trend Micro Check (for FREE!) today.

Looking to upgrade to Windows 11?

If you want to upgrade your computer to Windows 11, you can do so through Windows Update or by downloading the upgrade from Microsoft’s official website. To see if your computer is ready to install Windows 11, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. However, please note that your computer will need to meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. Click here to learn if your computer can upgrade to Windows 11.

Report a Scam!

Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!

Help & Info

Popular Stories

As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu

So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking.  If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller.  The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the