Adverts

Winsage
November 25, 2024
Microsoft is increasing its promotional efforts in Windows 11 by introducing advertisements labeled as ‘suggestions’ or ‘recommendations.’ These ads encourage users to purchase titles like Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and subscribe to Microsoft 365. The notifications panel now includes a prompt for the Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Vault Edition with a ‘Buy Now’ button that links to the Microsoft Store, and another notification promotes the Microsoft Defender app, which requires a Microsoft 365 subscription for full functionality. Users can opt out of these advertisements by adjusting settings in the Settings app. However, some embedded advertisements remain unavoidable, and there is a growing trend of advertisements in both Windows 11 and Windows 10, with Microsoft encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, often necessitating a hardware upgrade.
Winsage
August 14, 2024
Microsoft is integrating advertisements into Windows 11, including self-promotional content in the Start menu, app recommendations, and persistent pop-ups related to cloud storage that cannot be disabled. Users can turn off many advertising features through Windows 11 settings, but a simpler solution is the Ashampoo Windows 11 AdBlock, a free tool that removes unwanted ads without altering the Windows registry. It is compatible with all versions of Windows 11 and can eliminate various intrusive elements, such as Bing results in search, Edge search bar widget, ads in file explorer, and more. Users can download Ashampoo AdBlock for free, and alternatives like OFGB and Winpilot Adblock are also available.
Winsage
July 26, 2024
Microsoft is facing potential backlash for including ad-related features in the upcoming 24H2 release of Windows 11, despite previous testing in preview channels. Users may be frustrated with the continued inclusion of advertisements in key parts of the operating system. The company will need to make significant improvements in performance and features to offset this issue.
Winsage
July 25, 2024
- Windows 11 may soon have adverts or suggestions in the Microsoft Store - In preview build 22635, store search suggestions have been introduced - It is unclear how these suggestions will be pitched or implemented - Testers in the beta channel are providing feedback on their usefulness - The suggestions add to the growing number of nudges from Microsoft to use its own services - It is likely that these suggestions will become a permanent feature in Windows 11
Tech Optimizer
June 11, 2024
Security researchers have raised concerns about threat actors using a modified version of the Raspberry Robin worm to covertly distribute malware using Windows script files (WSF). The updated scripts used to load and proliferate the malware on target systems are not currently classified as malicious by any antivirus scanners on VirusTotal. The worm has been spread through various entry points including removable media, archive files hosted on Discord, 7-Zip archive files downloaded through web browsers, and malvertising campaigns on Discord. The investigation focused on the most recent attack campaign since early March 2024, which utilizes the WSF infection method. The malware uses obfuscation techniques and anti-analysis measures to avoid detection and deliver the Raspberry Robin worm onto the system. This attack sequence could potentially lead to the delivery of ransomware, making it crucial for security professionals to counter the malware early in its infection chain to prevent compromise.
Search