Some Windows 11 installers infect your PC with malware



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Microsoft surprised fans a few weeks ago with the Windows version we thought we would never get. After several years of using Windows 10, we’re finally going down one figure to Windows 11. The new operating system isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade that brings a new paint job. Microsoft has developed several new features for the latest version that make it a notable upgrade.

Windows 11 is available immediately in beta. You can download and install it on a supported machine after signing up for the Insider program run by Microsoft. Obtaining Windows 11 in any other way is not recommended, however, as unofficial Windows 11 installers available for download from the Internet may contain dangerous malware.

One of the main features of Windows 11 is security. Microsoft wants the new operating system to be more secure than ever. This is why Windows 11 has more stringent hardware requirements. But hackers won’t stop targeting Windows users just because Microsoft is trying to tighten up security.

It turns out that malicious Windows 11 installers are already available in the wild. Download and run any of them, and you could end up installing potentially dangerous malware on your laptop or desktop. The warning comes directly from Kaspersky. The company has identified at least one Windows 11 installation kit that provides a surprise payload.

Windows 11 malicious downloads

Kaspersky details an executable file called 86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe. The download looks like a genuine Microsoft file. It weighs 1.75 GB and its size makes it look like a real one. But after the download is complete, you will find that Windows 11 installer does not contain any traces of Windows 11.

Kaspersky explains that “most of this space consists of a DLL file which contains a lot of unnecessary information.” Opening the executable starts the installer. But instead of Windows 11, you download and run a “more interesting executable”.

The executable in question is also an installer that comes with its own license agreement. It is tagged as a “download manager for 86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator”. The agreement also states that the app will install sponsored software on your machine. Accepting the agreement results in the installation of malicious products, not genuine applications.

Kaspersky claims that its antivirus programs have defeated “several hundred infection attempts using similar patterns related to Windows 11”. The associated malware usually provides other installers that can trigger the installation of more dangerous programs. These include “full-fledged Trojans, password stealers, exploits and other nasty stuff.”

Where to get the genuine installer

There is only one place to look for Windows 11 beta installer: Microsoft. And you will do everything from your Windows 10 device. Just go to Settings, Update and security, then the Windows Insider Program. This is where you will need to activate the Development channel for updating.

If Microsoft tells you that your device won’t support Windows 11, you shouldn’t be looking for an unofficial installation. Just make sure your BIOS is configured correctly and try again. Otherwise, you might consider a hardware upgrade to run Windows 11 this fall when the final version drops.

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See the original version of this article on BGR.com

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