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Microsoft's official "Bing Wallpaper app" does some nasty, malware-like things to Windows (www.techspot.com)

submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

67 comments fedilink hide all child comments

The app automatically installs Bing Visual Search and includes code to decrypt cookies saved in other browsers, Rivera said, and it also brings a "free" geolocation web API to the system.

The developer discovered "many" nasty tricks Microsoft integrated in Bing Wallpapers, which include trying to change the browser's settings and set Edge as the default system browser. If the default browser isn't Edge, the app will open the default browser after some time asking to enable the previously installed Microsoft Bing Search for Chrome extension.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 14 minutes ago

While scummy indeed, if you need a desktop application to get yourself new wallpapers, my sympathy only goes so far.

Also not at all surprised the top comment speaks of Linux.

Linux, hating Musk, and Star Trek: the Lemmy trifecta.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 hours ago

I'm always surprised at how devious this windows spyware is. 99% of people would probably just accept to share all their data but that's not good enough; MS has to try and squeeze out every last drop.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Time to break up Microsoft

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 hour ago

Best time was a decade ago. Second best time is now. Same with Google, and Apple, auto companies and grocery companies. And...and...and. it's almost as the free market DOESN'T solve issues it creates them.

[–] [email protected] 37 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Why would you download bing wallpaper app anyways? First rule of computers: only install from trusted sources

[–] [email protected] 49 points 17 hours ago

Most average users consider Microsoft a trusted source, that's the root cause of a whole lot of crap.

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