Back in my day we called 'software that silently downloads and installs on your computer without your intervention or consent' a computer virus. We would have said 'LG monitors install viruses on your pc' and it would've been kind of a big deal. Fuck, now I feel old.
Up until now it's kind of just been assumed that official device drivers are relatively benign and helpful. Y'know, like "install the printer driver so you can print things." Device drivers have always been an attack vector though (further reading). Maybe tomorrow my printer will become malicious too! Though it’s arguably already borderline.
It's nothing new. I remember some years ago HP did the same thing on HP-branded pcs - it had an 'analytics' program (called Touchpoint iirc) which could be uninstalled via the usual Windows uninstall menu - but it didn't really uninstall, instead somehow making it so the process that runs it wouldn't be visible in Task Manager (only in Process Explorer).
If you went and hunted down the program and deleted it, it'd be silently reinstalled with the next windows update.
I prefer my OS to have multiple ad popups randomly with every program constantly demanding your attention to update or try this new feature. Of course, extra dark patterns convincing you to use AI or cloud storage every time you boot up.
Don't currently own any LG brand gear, although I assumed they were a decent brand until recently.
This certainly removed them from any consideration in the future, fuck that noise.
16 Comments
OfCourseNot@fedia.io · 118 pts · 14d
Back in my day we called 'software that silently downloads and installs on your computer without your intervention or consent' a computer virus. We would have said 'LG monitors install viruses on your pc' and it would've been kind of a big deal. Fuck, now I feel old.
grue@lemmy.world · 61 pts · 14d
That's not even all of the problem. The other part is: "Windows Update allows third-parties to install computer viruses on your PC."
Zarobi@aussie.zone · 11 pts · 13d
Up until now it's kind of just been assumed that official device drivers are relatively benign and helpful. Y'know, like "install the printer driver so you can print things." Device drivers have always been an attack vector though (further reading). Maybe tomorrow my printer will become malicious too! Though it’s arguably already borderline.
aeiou@piefed.social · 22 pts · 13d
It's nothing new. I remember some years ago HP did the same thing on HP-branded pcs - it had an 'analytics' program (called Touchpoint iirc) which could be uninstalled via the usual Windows uninstall menu - but it didn't really uninstall, instead somehow making it so the process that runs it wouldn't be visible in Task Manager (only in Process Explorer).
If you went and hunted down the program and deleted it, it'd be silently reinstalled with the next windows update.
HugeNerd@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 12d
I remember when computers had a use and were predictable and somewhat understandable.
Doomsider@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 11d
I prefer my OS to have multiple ad popups randomly with every program constantly demanding your attention to update or try this new feature. Of course, extra dark patterns convincing you to use AI or cloud storage every time you boot up.
danekrae@lemmy.world · 73 pts · 14d
Checked my monitors brand, then remembered that I use Linux.
OwOarchist@pawb.social · 17 pts · 14d
3 of my monitors are LG: Panic!
But I'm running Linux: Calm.
Stupidmanager@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 14d
Yo! Me too, but I run macOS. and apple isn’t a twat, just yet.
Serinus@lemmy.world · 39 pts · 14d
Isn't this old? Is this just regurgitated slop?
TheObviousSolution@thebrainbin.org · 17 pts · 14d
Pretty much sounds like it. Microsoft also made them pull back their shenanigans, if I remember correctly.
Serinus@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 14d
Late, after the publicity, yeah.
Fluke@feddit.uk · 5 pts · 12d
Still, this post is outdated bullshit.
mereo@piefed.ca · 28 pts · 14d
OLD NEWS! The article dates from Jul 17, 2026.
Kyrgizion@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 14d
Don't currently own any LG brand gear, although I assumed they were a decent brand until recently. This certainly removed them from any consideration in the future, fuck that noise.
ShellMonkey@piefed.socdojo.com · 9 pts · 14d
My mouse kept nagging to install their special software until I tracked down a registry key to disable it.
Hardware vendors, you sell a piece of equipment, quit trying to be a damn marketing company too