Trend Micro</a></em></p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-63258","data":{"text":"<p>Hackers have been tricking people into installing a fake malware-infected, information-stealing Windows 11 upgrade through clever manipulation of internet search results.</p>\r\n<h2>Windows 11 fake upgrade explained</h2>\r\n<p>Hackers have created a near carbon copy of the Microsoft website but infected it with malicious software. When people search &ldquo;Windows 11 upgrade&rdquo; or something similar, it&rsquo;s possible that one of the results high up on the list is the hackers&rsquo; nefarious website.</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-63271","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/screenshot-10-359b7.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-63273","data":{"text":"<p>The fake Microsoft website. Source: <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/unofficial-windows-11-upgrade-installs-info-stealing-malware//">Bleeping Computer</a></p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-63286","data":{"text":"<p>Once they are on the website, if a victim were to click the &ldquo;DOWNLOAD NOW&rdquo; button, instead of the legitimate Windows 11 upgrade, they would download a malware application specifically designed to steal their web browser data and cryptocurrency wallet information.</p>\r\n<p>This malware is capable of stealing information from many different web browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Opera, and lots more.</p>\r\n<p>If you&rsquo;re interested in learning all the technical information about this malware and how it&rsquo;s able to stealthily steal so much sensitive information, check out Bleeping Computer&rsquo;s post <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/unofficial-windows-11-upgrade-installs-info-stealing-malware//">here.

/r/n

How to stay protected</h2>\r\n<p><a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&amp;source=scamadviser\%22>Trend Micro Check</a> can protect you against malicious websites such as the one mentioned in this post by alerting you to the fact that things are not as they seem well before you&rsquo;re able to download anything dangerous. If you want a worry-free, 100% secure internet experience, download <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&amp;source=scamadviser\%22>Trend Micro Check</a> (for FREE!) today.</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Button","_identifier":"block-63337","data":{"text":"Get Trend Micro Check","link":"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&source=scamadviser"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-63351","data":{"text":"<h2>Looking to upgrade to Windows 11?</h2>\r\n<p>If you want to upgrade your computer to Windows 11, you can do so through Windows Update or by downloading the upgrade from <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/software-download/">Microsoft&rsquo;s official website</a>. To see if your computer is ready to install Windows 11, select <strong>Start &gt; Settings &gt; Update &amp; Security &gt; Windows Update &gt; Check for updates</strong>. However, please note that your computer will need to meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. Click <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/2021/09/30/can-your-pc-upgrade-to-windows-11//">here to learn if your computer can upgrade to Windows 11.</p>"}}],"sidebarBlocks":[{"_template":"Small\\Content\\Cta","_identifier":"block-157084","data":{"title":"Report a Scam!","consumer":null,"description":"Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!","image":"https://files.scamadviser.com/thumbs/tell-your-story-8910e.png_200x200.png","button":"Report a Scam!","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/leave-review"}},{"_template":"Small\\Content\\Taxonomy","_identifier":"block-157123","data":{"title":"Scam Categories","taxonomies":[{"id":7,"name":"Scam Alerts (896)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-alerts"},{"id":6,"name":"Scam Trends (331)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-trends"},{"id":8,"name":"Global Scam Country Guide (44)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/global-scam-country-guide"},{"id":3,"name":"News about Scamadviser (41)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/news-about-scamadviser"},{"id":5,"name":"Reliable Sites (37)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/reliable-sites"},{"id":2,"name":"Research & Reports (26)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/research-reports"},{"id":1,"name":"Tips & Support (24)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/tips-support"},{"id":88,"name":"Fact Check (19)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/fact-check"},{"id":87,"name":"Product Reviews (6)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/product-reviews"},{"id":4,"name":"Advice for Companies (2)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/advice-for-companies"}]}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-59407","data":{"align":"","text":"Help & Info","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157795","data":{"articles":[{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157796","data":{"title":"Tips & Support","link":"","icon":"fa-lightbulb-o"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157824","data":{"title":"Scam Alerts","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-alerts","icon":"fa-exclamation-triangle"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157839","data":{"title":"Learn about Scams","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-trends","icon":"fa-tags"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157854","data":{"title":"Reliable Sites","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/reliable-sites","icon":"fa-check-circle"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157869","data":{"title":"Advice for Companies","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/advice-for-companies","icon":"fa-comment"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157884","data":{"title":"Research & Reports","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/research-reports","icon":"fa-search"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-161131","data":{"title":"Global Scam Country Guide","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/global-scam-country-guide","icon":"fa-globe"}}],"buttonText":"See all","buttonLink":"https://www.scamadviser.com/help-info"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-167997","data":{"align":"left","text":"Top Safety Picks","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Lists","_identifier":"block-167811","data":{"heading":"Your Go-To Tools for Online Safety","description":null,"listItems":[{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167891","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - iOS","titleUrl":"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scamadviser/id6480509109","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS"}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167944","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - Android","titleUrl":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tech.scamadviser","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on Android."}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-169734","data":{"title":"NordVPN","titleUrl":"http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101566658-13382109","linkTarget":"1","text":"NordVPN keeps your connection private and secure whether you are at home, traveling, or streaming from another country. It protects your data, blocks unwanted ads and trackers, and helps you access your paid subscriptions anywhere. Try it Today!"}}]}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-59517","data":{"align":"left","text":"Popular Stories","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Blogs","_identifier":"block-59530","data":{"items":[{"id":13,"title":"How to Recognize a Scam Website","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/how-to-recognize-a-scam-website","excerpt":"As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam.\r\nCommon Sense: Too Good To Be True\r\nWhen looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact.\r\nIf an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website.\r\nCheck Out the Social Media Links\r\nSocial media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":false},{"id":4,"title":"How Do I Get Money Back From a Scammer?","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/how-do-i-get-money-back-from-a-scammer","excerpt":"Disclaimer: This article was originally published in 2018 and has been updated in October 2025 to reflect more current information, resources, and advice. Scams and recovery options continue to evolve, so always double-check with your bank, payment provider, or local consumer protection authority for the latest guidance.\r\nSo the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!!\r\nIf you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking. \r\nIf you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used.\r\n\r\nPayPal\r\nDebit card/Credit card\r\nBank transfer\r\nWire transfer\r\nGoogle Pay\r\nBitcoin\r\n\r\nPayPal\r\nGood news: PayPal gives you strong protection. You can file a dispute within 180 days of your purchase.\r\nYou can get a refund if:\r\n\r\nYour order never arrives, and the seller cannot provide proof of delivery.\r\nThe scammer sends you something completely different (e.g., a controller instead of a PlayStation).\r\nThe product condition was misrepresented (sold as new but arrives used).\r\nThe item is missing undisclosed parts.\r\nThe item is counterfeit.\r\n\r\nStart your claim directly through Pay","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":false}]}}],"meta":{"title":"Fake Windows 11 Upgrade Installs Malware & Steals Information","description":"Hackers have been tricking people into installing a fake malware-infected, information-stealing Windows 11 upgrade through clever manipulation of internet search 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Fake Windows 11 Upgrade Installs Malware & Steals Information

Header

Author: Trend Micro

May 2, 2022

This article is from Trend Micro

Hackers have been tricking people into installing a fake malware-infected, information-stealing Windows 11 upgrade through clever manipulation of internet search results.

Windows 11 fake upgrade explained

Hackers have created a near carbon copy of the Microsoft website but infected it with malicious software. When people search “Windows 11 upgrade” or something similar, it’s possible that one of the results high up on the list is the hackers’ nefarious website.

The fake Microsoft website. Source: Bleeping Computer

Once they are on the website, if a victim were to click the “DOWNLOAD NOW” button, instead of the legitimate Windows 11 upgrade, they would download a malware application specifically designed to steal their web browser data and cryptocurrency wallet information.

This malware is capable of stealing information from many different web browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Opera, and lots more.

If you’re interested in learning all the technical information about this malware and how it’s able to stealthily steal so much sensitive information, check out Bleeping Computer’s post here.

How to stay protected

Trend Micro Check can protect you against malicious websites such as the one mentioned in this post by alerting you to the fact that things are not as they seem well before you’re able to download anything dangerous. If you want a worry-free, 100% secure internet experience, download Trend Micro Check (for FREE!) today.

Looking to upgrade to Windows 11?

If you want to upgrade your computer to Windows 11, you can do so through Windows Update or by downloading the upgrade from Microsoft’s official website. To see if your computer is ready to install Windows 11, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. However, please note that your computer will need to meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. Click here to learn if your computer can upgrade to Windows 11.

Report a Scam!

Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!

Help & Info

Top Safety Picks

Your Go-To Tools for Online Safety

  1. ScamAdviser App - iOS : Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS
  2. ScamAdviser App - Android : Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on Android.
  3. NordVPN : NordVPN keeps your connection private and secure whether you are at home, traveling, or streaming from another country. It protects your data, blocks unwanted ads and trackers, and helps you access your paid subscriptions anywhere. Try it Today!

Popular Stories

As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu

Disclaimer: This article was originally published in 2018 and has been updated in October 2025 to reflect more current information, resources, and advice. Scams and recovery options continue to evolve, so always double-check with your bank, payment provider, or local consumer protection authority for the latest guidance. So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking.  If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal Good news: PayPal gives you strong protection. You can file a dispute within 180 days of your purchase. You can get a refund if: Your order never arrives, and the seller cannot provide proof of delivery. The scammer sends you something completely different (e.g., a controller instead of a PlayStation). The product condition was misrepresented (sold as new but arrives used). The item is missing undisclosed parts. The item is counterfeit. Start your claim directly through Pay