Windows 11 plagued by fake installers

Stefan Mileschin · 27th July 2021, 07:57

Kaspersky says the rollout is a hacker's delight

Insecurity outfit Kaspersky said that fake Windows 11 installers are becoming a rather fine way of delivering malware.

The outfit said that those who are using pirated or fake methods to get Windows 11 are also downloading malware along with it.

The particular file referenced is called 86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe. While it sounds like it includes Windows 11 build 21996.1, and an installer that will automatically activate Windows for you there are some red flags. First, it's only 1.75GB, so while people who want to install Windows 11 might think that's a large file that could be Windows, a real Windows 11 ISO is about 4.87GB.

"The 1.75 GB file looks legitimate. But most of this space consists of one DLL file that contains a lot of useless information", explains Mint.

And Kaspersky adds that "it even comes with a license agreement (which few people read) calling it a 'download manager for 86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator' and noting that it would also install some sponsored software. If you accept the agreement, a variety of malicious programs will be installed on your machine".

https://fudzilla.com/news/53283-wind...ake-installers

27th July 2021, 07:57	#1
Stefan Mileschin [M] Reviewer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Romania Posts: 148,578	Windows 11 plagued by fake installers Kaspersky says the rollout is a hacker's delight Insecurity outfit Kaspersky said that fake Windows 11 installers are becoming a rather fine way of delivering malware. The outfit said that those who are using pirated or fake methods to get Windows 11 are also downloading malware along with it. The particular file referenced is called 86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe. While it sounds like it includes Windows 11 build 21996.1, and an installer that will automatically activate Windows for you there are some red flags. First, it's only 1.75GB, so while people who want to install Windows 11 might think that's a large file that could be Windows, a real Windows 11 ISO is about 4.87GB. "The 1.75 GB file looks legitimate. But most of this space consists of one DLL file that contains a lot of useless information", explains Mint. And Kaspersky adds that "it even comes with a license agreement (which few people read) calling it a 'download manager for 86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator' and noting that it would also install some sponsored software. If you accept the agreement, a variety of malicious programs will be installed on your machine". https://fudzilla.com/news/53283-wind...ake-installers

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Windows 10 Version 1809 Plagued by Another Data Loss Issue	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	22nd October 2018 13:32
Android devices plagued by RAMpage bug	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	2nd July 2018 19:04
The state of solar installers after Trump’s tariff	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	4th February 2018 06:53
Apple gear plagued with malware	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	7th November 2014 07:53
Mac OS X plagued by same SSL encryption bug first identified on iOS	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	25th February 2014 07:59
Creating Bootable Windows Flash Drive Installers	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	5th December 2013 08:26
Skype is plagued with advertisements	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	15th June 2012 06:21
Leaked: Windows 8 build 7955 video (update: fake!)	Shogun	WebNews	1	14th April 2011 20:45
Fake Leak of Windows 8 is Actually Windows 7	jmke	WebNews	0	14th April 2011 15:49
PCs plagued by bad capacitors	Sidney	WebNews	2	11th November 2005 15:01