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LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

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Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#16

Post by sigio »

dhash wrote: post #12

it's worth noting that the price of these monitors got cut in half due to this news -- great for the linux users out there

Still seeing them for ~600 everywhere, which is completely in line with historic pricing: https://tweakers.net/pricewatch/2246090/lg-ultragear-oled-34...

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#17

Post by embedding-shape »

sigio wrote: post #13

Why do people even install 'drivers' for things like monitors. (Or usb devices running 'standard' protocols). The OS handles these just fine by itself.

Sounds like this malware gets installed even if you don't manually install anything.

> Connecting some LG monitors to a Windows PC may automatically install software that promotes McAfee subscriptions

I too have a LG monitor, but haven't booted Windows in some days, guess I'll stay put in my Arch environment until they've fixed this shitshow.

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#18

Post by maccard »

justsomehnguy wrote: post #4

And Razer, Logitech, nvidia and everyone else who has it's driver package accepted into WU. No, you can't have a "(o) just the driver" checkbox because... honestly there are a lot of reasons and the device manufacturers are the guys who demand that in the first place.

With the quality of that software, it wouldn’t surprise me if the driver didn’t work without the userspace app at all. The GeForce experience at least you can disable, but if you have any branded components getting all of their management software off your PC is incredibly difficult

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#19

Post by embedding-shape »

GaProgMan wrote: post #15

Gamers Nexus have a video about this. Definitely worth a watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9uefFYe6bM

I'm wondering if we in Europe gets vastly different experience compared to Americans or elsewhere in the world. People complain about LG having ads everywhere in the monitors, displays and what not, but none of our LG products (bought and used in Spain) have any ads anywhere. I'm sitting here with a LG monitor and our main TV is a LG OLED TV, neither of them have ads anywhere, although I haven't booted Windows in a couple of days and I guess I won't, until this malware issue been fixed.

But still, is it possible Americans are receiving more ads than in other parts of the world? Certainly online sentiment gives me that impression.

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#20

Post by devttyeu »

This is so much worse that the title makes it out to be:

  1. Your OS installs malware (technically manufacturers software) from a 3rd party vendor in background, zero user interaction
  2. Happens as soon as you or anyone with physical access plug in a device into the HDMI port
  3. That malware has internet and full system access, no sandboxing
  4. It starts with every system boot
  5. This software gets installed when you plug in a new LG monitor
  6. OR ALREADY HAD AN OLDER LG MONITOR PLUGGED IN, BECAUSE LG APPARENTLY ROLLED THIS OUT FOR MANY OLDER MODELS TOO!!
  7. And yes, if you think that's horrendous, as mentioned in the video below, that also applies to 'Professional' LG monitors!
This situation has.. no precedent as far as I can tell..

GamersNexus has a video diving deeper into what LG did here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9uefFYe6bM

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