And not only that, since things can get much worse if we fall into the trap and our computer receives a fake microsoft software update. This is actually a scam related to fake Windows updates, and attackers are often quite successful with it.
How fake Windows updates get to your PC
To start, the scammer establishes a connection with our PC and sends a fake screenshot. Windows Update. This looks like the blue screen we are used to that says Working on updates. While the attacker shows us this fake Windows update, they work in the background and steal our files stored on the computer.
When the fake update is complete, the malicious actor has already obtained our personal information located on the PC. They then ask us for a ransom to recover this data and threaten to publish it on the Dark Webfor example, unless we pay. However, for all this, the criminal needs an attack vector that provides administrator permissions.
As security experts point out, this is something that is carried out through any remote desktop software. These programs as such are not malicious, since they are nothing more than applications that allow us to connect remotely from another PC. However, misuse of them can be quite dangerous.
This is how your data is stolen with fake updates
The scammer starts by randomly asking app users to establish a remote connection with them. If the victim accepts the connection request, they will access the victim’s PC. From here they will upload a file called Microsoft Windows Update to the app. remote computer and it will run. This mimics the Windows update progress screen. Not only that, but it also disables the keyboard to prevent user interference.
While the user waits for the fake update to complete, the attacker steals any vital information stored on the disk drives. Once it has made the files and transferred them to its servers, it launches a ransomware-type message demanding that the victim pay within a week. Otherwise, it threatens to publish private files on the Dark Web.
Avoid these scams on Windows
These types of scams using fake Windows updates have been going on for years. This basically means that attackers are often successful. Despite all this, avoiding them is quite simple. In principle, and as you can imagine, we should never accept a request from a stranger who asks us for access to the PC through a password. remote control software.
Furthermore, it is highly recommended to update our operating system through the official Windows Update application. Many of these attackers pose as Microsoft technicians to launch these updates, something we should always be wary of. And finally, we will tell you that the ransomware attacks They usually do not end when we pay the supposed ransom. That is why in most cases we should not accept blackmail.