Malvertising attack on Microsoft Games

The have been a number of reports of fake virus warnings when using Microsoft Games (and possibly other apps) as shown in screenshot below>>>

As reported in German MC there may be other fake offers for prize redemption.

https://answers.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/forum/all/windows-apps-%C3%B6ffnen-fake-webseiten-mit/62d2039d-8c3a-4684-a994-d43cff7bd7ab

Currently, there is an increase in the number of malicious banner ads that open fraudulent web pages in the standard browser when starting or using apps on Windows 10. These websites either promise winnings in a competition or threaten to infect your PC with viruses. Both are nonsense. 

It's not local malicious software on the PC! As a result, it is not necessary to install any tools to scan or to install the system at all.

As long as you just close the window without confirming any questions to start scans or to pick up winnings, the thing is without consequence. The apps include advertising banners on external networks. About this, also repeated fraudulent banner apparently delivered in addition to normal advertising. Apparently, the operators of these ad networks have their deliveries still not under control. Such things appear every now and then in the Web browser. There, they can at least block through the use of an adblockers.

The relevant Web pages should be reported via the browser as fraud page. Some of them are currently already by the Windows SmartScreen filter considered malignant. To solve the problem on the server side, the corresponding apps should not be used simply.

Who has the ability to block advertising on DNS level, E.g. via a central adblocker on your network such as a Pihole, you should block these sites:

*.adnxs.com
*.nuxues.com

*.vungle.com

Currently Windows Defender SmartScreen is not recognizing all of these and therefore not blocking.

The fake virus warnings eventually direct to a download page for Reimage Repair which is classified by Microsoft as potentially unwanted application (PUA) but not detected as malware by Windows Defender at this time. A scan of the downloaded file at VirusTotal indicates nine different antivirus/antimalware programs detect it as malware and some may block the download or even the landing page for the download.

https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/a9351e522ac3d86324dfb455617bfa01da737d1b93fe0f16ba5e614e0e904c56/detection

When the fake virus screen appears simply close the page (or tab). If page will not close open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and kill the browser process (End Task)) As a precaution clear your browser cache and temporary internet files.

For Windows 10 users, more information may be available at Feedback Hub (Windows key + F).

FYI: Through some testing I found Malwarebytes Browser Extension -BETA blocked redirection to malicious sites.

Recent Articles which may provide further updates an Microsoft response:

Windows 10 Apps Serving Malicious Ads Warning of Virus Infections

https://news.softpedia.com/news/windows-10-apps-serving-malicious-ads-warning-of-virus-infections-526265.shtml

Windows 10 Apps Hit by Malicious Ads that Blockers Won't Stop

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/windows-10-apps-hit-by-malicious-ads-that-blockers-wont-stop

17/07/2019

Group Behind Windows 10 App Malvertising Pushed 100M Ads in 2019

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/group-behind-windows-10-app-malvertising-pushed-100m-ads-in-2019/


~bhringer

Edit: Removed some content and update.


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Thanks, bhringer, for creating this pinned thread. :)

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       Thank-You bhringer for this thread, and the heads up for everyone.

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Thanks for this thread. I also have had the " your machine is infected" and once closed it didn't come back again. The "fake survey win a prize " one is being more problematic in that yes it does go away when you close the tab but unfortunately it keeps coming back. Since I installed Malwarebytes it is blocked but not blocked from trying so whilst I no longer get the" survey" I am getting page blocked interrupting my game about 3 or four time a minute which is frustrating to say the least. can it be blocked from even trying? nuxues.com is the culprit. I apologise for not being very tech but are you saying that if I install Pihole I can block the site from even trying ? 

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As an update to my earlier message above : all is now well and I have just completed all daily challenges in Microsoft jigsaw and solitaire with no interruptions so well done Malwarebytes free and or the free 60 day premium trial because one of these seems to have learnt and is now successfully stopping it. or the maladvertisers just gave up which I doubt. Any way , job done. 

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I think it's a good idea to remind everyone of some basic security/privacy etc precautions.

Suggest reading:

 

How to tighten security and increase privacy on your browser - Malwarebytes Labs | Malwarebytes Labs 

and

Answers to common security questions - Best Practices

 which
  • includes Resources to protect your browser, privacy & help prevent browser pop-up ads and scams

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MSN Money works fine in the Sunset Edition. And the only MSN News and Weather apps discontinued were for Windows 8.1 not Windows 10 fail to see connection.

Hurm.

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MSN Money works fine in the Sunset Edition. And the only MSN News and Weather apps discontinued were for Windows 8.1 not Windows 10 fail to see connection.

Hurm.

Thanks for catching that.

~bhringer

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You're Welcome, Chief! 😊

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Many props for mentioning Pi-hole as a mitigation. For those who don't run Pi-hole; you can use nextdns.io to the same effect instead.
Windows 11 Pro Beta Channel

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Last updated June 27, 2022 Views 10,414 Applies to: