LG Monitor Auto-Installs McAfee-Promoting App Without Consent, Tests Show

A recent investigation has revealed that connecting certain LG monitors to a Windows PC can trigger the automatic installation of software that promotes McAfee subscriptions, all without the user's permission. The issue was first highlighted by a Reddit user and later reproduced and documented by Gamers Nexus, according to multiple outlets.

Hardware Busters reported that Gamers Nexus booted a test machine 32 times and got a McAfee pitch on 31 of them, adding that "nobody ever clicked 'install.'" The installation occurs silently when the monitor is connected, with Windows Update delivering LG extension and software component packages, followed by an LG Monitor App Installer that appears without any consent prompt or user approval, VideoCardz detailed.

2 sources

Hardware BustersLG Monitors Are Installing McAfee Ads on Your PC — and Windows Update Is Delivering ThemVideoCardzLG monitors automatically install McAfee-promoting software via Windows Update without user consent

"Gamers Nexus booted a test machine 32 times and got a McAfee pitch on 31 of them. Nobody ever clicked 'install.'"

Following this initial report, further analysis by Gamers Nexus and others revealed the scope of the permissions the app requests. Discuss.privacyguides.net and privacyguides.org both noted that the LG app, which includes McAfee ads, requests access to "All System Resources" without asking the user for permission. En.gamegpu.com added that in 97% of cases, the application displays intrusive pop-up ads for a McAfee Premium antivirus subscription costing $39.99 per year, while also requesting access to geolocation, contacts, and transaction history.

3 sources

discuss.privacyguides.netLG Monitors Caught Installing Adware and App With Access to "All System Resources" Without Askingprivacyguides.orgLG Monitors Caught Installing Adware and App With Access to "All System ...en.gamegpu.comLG is forcibly installing McAfee adware on users' monitors.

"In 97% of cases, this application displays intrusive pop-up ads for paid McAfee Premium antivirus subscriptions, costing $39.99 per year, while also requesting full access to all system resources, geolocation, contacts, and transaction history of the computer owner."

The issue came to widespread attention after a Reddit user posting as MagsSmash on r/pcmasterrace documented the behavior earlier this week, The FPS Review reported. The user noted that after connecting three LG UltraGear displays, a background process silently installed "LGElectronics.LGMonitorApp" through the Microsoft Store. Gamers Nexus later confirmed the behavior using an LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B monitor, according to VideoCardz. The revelation has sparked concerns among users about consent and the extent of system access granted by such automatic installations.