Microsoft has recently introduced the Bing Wallpaper app to the Windows Store, providing users with a fresh and official method to update their desktop backgrounds daily. This application boasts a collection of stunning images sourced from the Bing homepage, showcasing breathtaking visuals from across the globe. However, beneath this appealing exterior lies a host of concerns regarding user security and privacy.
Security Concerns Emerge
Rafael Rivera, a Windows developer and self-proclaimed “reverse engineer by night,” has raised alarms about the potential risks associated with the Bing Wallpaper app. According to Rivera, the application not only installs Bing Visual Search without user consent but also incorporates code that can decrypt cookies saved in other browsers. Furthermore, it introduces a geolocation web API to the system, which raises significant privacy issues.
Rivera’s investigation revealed several unsettling features embedded within the app. One of the more alarming functionalities includes attempts to alter browser settings, specifically pushing Microsoft Edge as the default browser. If users have a different browser set as default, the app will periodically open that browser, prompting users to enable the previously installed Microsoft Bing Search extension for Chrome.
- Automatic installation of Bing Visual Search
- Code for decrypting cookies from other browsers
- Geolocation web API integration
- Attempts to change default browser settings
- Forced prompts to enable Bing Search extension
Rivera has compiled a list of extensions that users may need to block in Chrome or Firefox to mitigate the app’s intrusive behavior. He has characterized Bing Wallpaper as a malicious application, urging those interested in further investigation to examine the app’s server configuration. Interestingly, there is also a registry key that purportedly allows the app to “nuke itself,” a feature that many users might find appealing given the circumstances.
The response from the online community has been swift and critical, with many users expressing their discontent regarding Microsoft’s latest endeavor. Comments have ranged from disbelief to humor, with some users suggesting that this behavior is characteristic of the tech giant. A few have even hinted at the possibility of a class action lawsuit, echoing the sentiment that if the wallpaper is free, users may very well be the product.
At this juncture, Bing Wallpaper appears to be more of an unwelcome presence than a beneficial tool. Users seeking dynamic wallpapers and desktop customization have numerous alternatives that do not come with the baggage of adware. Applications such as Dynamic Wallpaper and Wallpaper Engine offer similar features without compromising user privacy. Additionally, Windows 11 itself includes a built-in option to change the desktop background daily, rendering the need for “official” Bing applications largely unnecessary.
The official “Bing Wallpaper app” does some nasty, malware-like things to Windows
Microsoft has recently introduced the Bing Wallpaper app to the Windows Store, providing users with a fresh and official method to update their desktop backgrounds daily. This application boasts a collection of stunning images sourced from the Bing homepage, showcasing breathtaking visuals from across the globe. However, beneath this appealing exterior lies a host of concerns regarding user security and privacy.
Security Concerns Emerge
Rafael Rivera, a Windows developer and self-proclaimed “reverse engineer by night,” has raised alarms about the potential risks associated with the Bing Wallpaper app. According to Rivera, the application not only installs Bing Visual Search without user consent but also incorporates code that can decrypt cookies saved in other browsers. Furthermore, it introduces a geolocation web API to the system, which raises significant privacy issues.
Rivera’s investigation revealed several unsettling features embedded within the app. One of the more alarming functionalities includes attempts to alter browser settings, specifically pushing Microsoft Edge as the default browser. If users have a different browser set as default, the app will periodically open that browser, prompting users to enable the previously installed Microsoft Bing Search extension for Chrome.
Rivera has compiled a list of extensions that users may need to block in Chrome or Firefox to mitigate the app’s intrusive behavior. He has characterized Bing Wallpaper as a malicious application, urging those interested in further investigation to examine the app’s server configuration. Interestingly, there is also a registry key that purportedly allows the app to “nuke itself,” a feature that many users might find appealing given the circumstances.
The response from the online community has been swift and critical, with many users expressing their discontent regarding Microsoft’s latest endeavor. Comments have ranged from disbelief to humor, with some users suggesting that this behavior is characteristic of the tech giant. A few have even hinted at the possibility of a class action lawsuit, echoing the sentiment that if the wallpaper is free, users may very well be the product.
At this juncture, Bing Wallpaper appears to be more of an unwelcome presence than a beneficial tool. Users seeking dynamic wallpapers and desktop customization have numerous alternatives that do not come with the baggage of adware. Applications such as Dynamic Wallpaper and Wallpaper Engine offer similar features without compromising user privacy. Additionally, Windows 11 itself includes a built-in option to change the desktop background daily, rendering the need for “official” Bing applications largely unnecessary.