LG monitors are silently installing spyware on Windows 11 PCs without user consent

LG monitors are installing software through Windows Update without user consent, sparking privacy and security concerns among PC users.

According to GamersNexus, connecting an LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B monitor to a Windows PC will automatically install software that promotes McAfee antivirus subscriptions, all without any prompt or user approval. Essentially, plugging any Windows 11 PC into this LG monitor automatically installs what is commonly considered adware, software that is dedicated to displaying an advertisement for additional software.

GamersNexus replicated what many LG monitors were complaining about on Reddit, confirming that the monitor triggers an automatic software install that occurs silently during the monitor setup process, all without any user approval. This includes not only promotional material for McAfee but also additional adware-like elements, along with the approval of suspicious permissions such as granting access to "All system resources" and geolocation, online activity, and contact data.

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A user report showcased a screenshot of McAfee ads appearing on their PC despite never installing the program or authorizing the ads, highlighting the invasive nature of the product. The issue has drawn attention from tech communities, and rightfully so, as users are now questioning if other monitor companies are also guilty or complicit in such practices.

If LG does not address this behavior, it risks damaging its reputation among gamers who aren't very quick to forget about the predatory behavior of tech companies. This is especially true among those gamers or consumers who really value transparency and control over their systems. For me, until this is removed, or LG puts out a statement explaining why it's there in the first place, all future LG UltraGear gaming monitor reviews will come with a warning for spyware, or LG's Monitor App installer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

TweakBot answers common questions about this news using TweakTown's own coverage from this page and related content from our archive. Tap a question to reveal the answer, or type your own below.

Question #1

Which LG UltraGear monitor models are known to trigger the automatic McAfee/advertisement install on Windows 11?

The LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B is known to trigger the automatic McAfee/advert install on Windows 11. The article says the issue is suspected to affect select models in LGs UltraGear line but does not list any other specific models.

Answered

Question #2

How does connecting an affected LG monitor to a Windows 11 PC cause software to install via Windows Update without user consent?

Plugging an affected LG UltraGear monitor into a Windows 11 PC triggers an automatic software install through Windows Update during the monitor setup process, with no prompt or user approval. GamersNexus reported the monitor causes Windows to silently install promotional McAfee software and other adware-like elements, including granting broad permissions such as access to all system resources, geolocation, online activity, and contact data.

Answered

Question #3

What specific permissions does the automatically installed software request (for example: system resources, geolocation, online activity, contacts)?

The article reports the software requests access to "All system resources" and requests geolocation, online activity, and contact data. These permissions were described as suspicious and tied to the silently installed adware promoting McAfee.

Answered

Question #4

Can the unwanted McAfee advertisement/software be removed or uninstalled after it appears, and how?

The article does not describe any method to remove or uninstall the McAfee advertisement/software after it appears; it only reports that the software is being silently installed via Windows Update without user consent and states that removal or an LG statement is still expected.

Answered

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The above is a list of known LG monitors with this issue, and it's suspected that this problem affects select LG monitors in its UltraGear line-up. It's currently unknown how many, or which models.