Are you looking to upgrade your PC to Windows 11? If so, be careful about where you get your download. While Windows 11 has promised some significant (and much-needed) security improvements, some unexpected risks have also been accompanied. One of these risks that have been disguised is a major malware attack as a Windows 11 upgrade.
With a better understanding of this fake Windows update virus and how to protect yourself, you can avoid falling victim to malware.
More About the Fake Windows Update
This supposed Windows 11 update appears to come from a legitimate Microsoft website, though if you look closely at the URL, the first “red flag” is that the web address is not a direct Windows URL. From there, unsuspecting users who have not noticed the faulty web address may click on the “download now” button and end up with a 1.5MB ZIP file that contains a file named “Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe.”
In reality, the user is unknowingly downloading the infamous RedLine Stealer suite of malware, which can compromise information from usernames and passwords to credit card information and everything in between.
Unfortunately, because the download page for this “Windows 11 upgrade” looks so convincing, many Windows users are falling victim to it.
Protect Yourself From the Windows Update Virus
This fake Windows update virus can result in a major compromise of personal data to unsuspecting users. The good news? It’s easy to protect yourself. The first thing to remember is that ISO files should only be downloaded directly from the Windows website itself. If the URL you’re looking at is not a Windows web address, the download is probably not genuine or safe.
Likewise, it’s important to understand that if your PC is eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade, you should receive an alert directly from your computer. From there, you’ll be prompted to install the upgrade from Windows. In other words, you should not have to go out of your way to find the link – nor should you open any links or attachments from an unfamiliar email address that claims to contain the upgrade files.
Keep Your Information Safe
It’s always better to be safe than sorry when installing a Windows 11 upgrade on your PC. This means waiting to be notified of an available upgrade directly through your existing operating system and checking to ensure that the download link you’re using is coming from a site that Windows actually run.
Are you looking for more ways to safeguard your information? Making the switch to a dedicated server is a great place to start. ReliableSite offers a wide range of dedicated hosting options to meet your needs and budget – and all of our hosting plans come with security features in the form of standard DDoS protection, physical data center security, and more. Get in touch with the ReliableSite team to get started!