Malware Found In Popular Windows 10 Activation Tool

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Avinash Jaisrani

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Starting with Windows 10, Microsoft made the Operating System widely available for download, free of cost. This meant that people would no longer have to go to shady websites to download an illegal copy of Windows if they could not afford to buy the OS. However, this was not without a few caveats. When using the free version of Windows, users are locked out of customization options. Furthermore, an ugly watermark is forever present at the bottom right of the screen.

Unsurprisingly, many users have been using various softwares and tricks to activate Windows. One such software, W10DigitalActivation has been reported to contain malicious files. The report comes from Chinese news site 3dmgame. This was discovered by the security firm ASEC. ASEC claims that the software was spread mainly through a Korean file sharing website and can be used for remote access to a user’s PC.

ASEC has elaborated that the software itself fulfills the claim of activating Windows, but includes a malicious file called W10DigitalActivation_Temp. This file is run alongside the Activation process and then downloads more malware into the user’s computer. An exception is also added into the Windows Defender folders to prevent action against the malicious software.

ASEC believes the software has mainly affected Korean users for the time being. This is concerning as many users are usually not too concerned about their safety when surfing the internet and often ignore basic safety precautions. However, security firms like ASEC have been doing a great job to ensure malicious activities are dealt with in a timely fashion and as such should be given credit where it’s due.

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Avinash Jaisrani

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com