this post was submitted on 23 Nov 2024
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Microsoft's official "Bing Wallpaper app" does some nasty, malware-like things to Windows (www.techspot.com)
submitted 3 days ago by ForgottenFlux@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
105 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

The app automatically installs Bing Visual Search and includes code to decrypt cookies saved in other browsers, Rivera said, and it also brings a "free" geolocation web API to the system.

The developer discovered "many" nasty tricks Microsoft integrated in Bing Wallpapers, which include trying to change the browser's settings and set Edge as the default system browser. If the default browser isn't Edge, the app will open the default browser after some time asking to enable the previously installed Microsoft Bing Search for Chrome extension.

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[–] Scubus@sh.itjust.works 44 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Why would you download bing wallpaper app anyways? First rule of computers: only install from trusted sources

[–] viking@infosec.pub 61 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Most average users consider Microsoft a trusted source, that's the root cause of a whole lot of crap.

[–] boonhet@lemm.ee 2 points 1 day ago

Most average users consider Microsoft a trusted source, that’s the root cause of a whole lot of crap.

I remember when I installed SP3 for XP... On my AMD machine.

Lack of trust in Microsoft started on that fateful day.