Key Takeaways
- LG monitors are secretly installing a Windows app that shows ads.
- The app can run at startup and promote McAfee subscriptions without user consent.
- Older LG monitors are also affected by this issue.
LG is facing criticism for secretly installing unwanted apps on users' PCs through its monitors, raising privacy concerns. According to reports, the LG Monitor App Installer arrives via Windows Update and can install itself without user approval.
YouTuber Gamers Nexus replicated the issue using an LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B monitor. The process begins when Windows identifies a connected LG display, initiating the download of related packages through Windows Update. Afterward, the system installs the LG Monitor App Installer from the Microsoft Store. This app is described as a tool for installing compatible monitor applications but also includes McAfee trial language in its Microsoft Store listing.
During 32 consecutive system boots, the app showed a McAfee promotion 31 times, with only one boot promoting an LG utility. VideoCardz reported that the McAfee offer includes a 30-day trial that later converts into a paid subscription. The app runs at startup and can return promotional popups after future reboots without user intervention.
Privacy advocates are concerned about the app’s ability to access all system resources, as described in its Microsoft Store listing. This capability is termed runFullTrust by Microsoft, which allows desktop apps more freedom than sandboxed Store apps. While there is no evidence that the app steals files or private data, this automatic installation without clear approval raises valid privacy and cybersecurity concerns.
The issue extends beyond new monitors; Gamers Nexus reported receiving similar pop-ups from an LG UltraFine 32UN880-B monitor purchased three years ago. Reports of such behavior date back to at least 2024, suggesting that more users may be affected in recent weeks as LG potentially enables the installer for more models or changes promotion frequency.
Microsoft’s device metadata system allows manufacturers to associate Store apps with their devices, which could explain how LG is able to push this app through Windows Update. However, the lack of user consent and the potential for unwanted advertisements remain significant issues.
LG describes the software as a tool for installing compatible monitor applications but does not address the privacy concerns raised by its automatic installation process. Users are advised to be cautious when connecting their monitors and to regularly check system settings for unfamiliar apps.
