LG Monitors Silently Install Adware-Like App On Windows PCs

VideoCardz reports that connecting certain LG monitors to Windows PCs can trigger Windows Update to automatically install the LG Monitor App Installer, which runs at startup and repeatedly displays McAfee trial promotions.

From the report: Gamers Nexus reproduced the behavior with an LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B after receiving reports from monitor owners. Windows Update first installed LG extension and software component packages. Windows Reliability Monitor showed that LG Monitor App Installer appeared one minute later. The installation did not display a consent prompt or require the user to approve the download.

Gamers Nexus tested the application across 32 consecutive system boots. It displayed a McAfee promotion during 31 of them. On the remaining boot, it promoted one of LG's own monitor utilities. The McAfee popup offered a 30-day trial that would convert into a paid subscription.

The behavior does not appear to be limited to newly purchased displays. Gamers Nexus also received the popup on an LG UltraFine 32UN880-B purchased three years earlier. User complaints about LG Monitor App Installer date back to at least 2024, although the recent increase in reports suggests that more models may now be receiving it.

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LG Monitors Silently Install Adware-Like App On Windows PCs 15 VideoCardz reports that connecting certain LG monitors to Windows PCs can trigger Windows Update to automatically install the LG Monitor App Installer, which runs at startup and repeatedly displays McAfee trial promotions. From the report: Gamers Nexus reproduced the behavior with an LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B after receiving reports from monitor owners. Windows Update first installed LG extension and software component packages. Windows Reliability Monitor showed that LG Monitor App Installer appeared one minute later. The installation did not display a consent prompt or require the user to approve the download. Gamers Nexus tested the application across 32 consecutive system boots. It displayed a McAfee promotion during 31 of them. On the remaining boot, it promoted one of LG's own monitor utilities. The McAfee popup offered a 30-day trial that would convert into a paid subscription. The behavior does not appear to be limited to newly purchased displays. Gamers Nexus also received the popup on an LG UltraFine 32UN880-B purchased three years earlier. User complaints about LG Monitor App Installer date back to at least 2024, although the recent increase in reports suggests that more models may now be receiving it.

Gamers Nexus tested the application across 32 consecutive system boots. It displayed a McAfee promotion during 31 of them. On the remaining boot, it promoted one of LG's own monitor utilities. The McAfee popup offered a 30-day trial that would convert into a paid subscription. The behavior does not appear to be limited to newly purchased displays. Gamers Nexus also received the popup on an LG UltraFine 32UN880-B purchased three years earlier. User complaints about LG Monitor App Installer date back to at least 2024, although the recent increase in reports suggests that more models may now be receiving it.

How to turn off these silent installs? (Score:1)

• Re: How to turn off these silent installs? (Score:1)
• Re: (Score:3) Iâ(TM)ve seen Logitech peripherals and HP printers do similar no-ask installations. But were they automatic installs or were they put on the optional install list and had to be selected by the user?
• Re: (Score:2) Probably automatic. I know Gigabyte motherboards only install a utility that prompts you to install the actual software with notifications. Which is better because I don't want the software. This whole mechanism relies on trust, and now that LG is abusing that trust, we probably need to throw out that whole feature.
• Re: (Score:1) According to the article: "Users can remove LG Monitor App Installer through Windows Settings and disable remaining LG entries under Startup Apps. Windows Pro and Enterprise users can also enable âoePrevent automatic download of applications associated with device metadataâ under Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System and Device Installation. Enabling this policy may also block useful companion applications for other hardware."
• Re: (Score:2) But LG wrote the malware that is being installed, so they are at least equally guilty.
• Crap like this (Score:3) is why I'm sticking to just toggle switches and blinking lights.
• Re: (Score:2)
• Re: (Score:2) I'm sticking with stone knives and bear skins.
• Re: (Score:2) Logitech (Score:2) I wouldn't mind installing it, it does offer some nifty tweaks, but at ~300MB it weighs in a bit hefty for a mouse options control panel. I can't imagine what other junk is in there I don't want or need.
• Re: (Score:2) 300MB for a glorified mouse driver, it would be funny if it weren't so sad.
• Re: (Score:2) I miss the old utility. I just want low battery notifications and the mouse isn't Bluetooth.
• We're no longer a high-trust society (Score:3) It's simply no longer possible to randomly install software from the Internet because most of it will be malware, even if it comes through Windows Update.