--- title: Malware Disguised As Windows 11 Upgrade Targets Windows 10 Users description: Malware Disguised As Windows 11 Upgrade Targets Windows 10 Users --- [Securafy Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) - [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) - [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) - [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) / IT Operations IT Operations # Malware Disguised As Windows 11 Upgrade Targets Windows 10 Users Malware Disguised As Windows 11 Upgrade Targets Windows 10 Users ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) By Randy Hall Updated Jul 2024 2 min read Share [**](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2022/02/28/malware-disguised-as-windows-11-upgrade-targets-windows-10-users) [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2022/02/28/malware-disguised-as-windows-11-upgrade-targets-windows-10-users&text=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EMalware+Disguised+As+Windows+11+Upgrade+Targets+Windows+10+Users%3C%2Fspan%3E) [**](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EMalware+Disguised+As+Windows+11+Upgrade+Targets+Windows+10+Users%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https://blog.securafy.com/2022/02/28/malware-disguised-as-windows-11-upgrade-targets-windows-10-users) ![](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png)According to researchers at HP, there's a new threat to worry about.  Hackers have recently begun disguising malware as Windows 11 upgrades and are using them to target Windows 10 users who are anxious to move to Microsoft's latest OS. This new campaign begins like many others with an email informing the recipient that if they click the link provided in the email, they'll be taken to Microsoft's website where they can get a free copy of Windows 11. Victims who click the link will be taken to a site that is a very good and convincing replica of the legitimate Microsoft website.  Only a careful inspection of the URL will reveal that something is amiss and most users don't pay much attention to URLs so this is quite likely to go unnoticed. Once on the site, the victim will be prompted to download the file that promises to be Windows 11.  It is nearly 800 MB in size so at that point it still seems legitimate. Unfortunately, if the victim runs the downloaded file they seal their fate as it will install malware on their system. At present, the most common malware deployed via this campaign is RedLine Stealer which steals stored passwords, cookies, saved payment card information, and cryptocurrency wallet information. So if it lands on your system or finds its way into your company's network it can deal significant damage with long lasting consequences. The worst part of all this is that Microsoft has unintentionally made the issue worse than it needs to be.  There are a great many Windows 10 users who cannot get Windows 11 from official distribution channels due to hardware incompatibilities. That has created an enormous opportunity for hackers around the world and they are wasting no time exploiting that opportunity. Tagged Under IT Operations[Cybersecurity](https://blog.securafy.com/tag/cybersecurity)Business Continuity In This Article Need Help With Your Current Setup? Talk through your current systems, risks, and support gaps with Securafy. [Book a Strategy Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) ## Join The Conversation Have a question or perspective on this topic? Add it below. ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) About The Author Randy Hall · CEO & Founder Randy Hall is the CEO and Founder of Securafy, with decades of experience helping organizations make smarter, safer decisions about technology. A frequent speaker and instructor at national IT events, Randy has advised thousands of organizations, from startups and SMBs to large enterprises and U.S. government entities, on secure, practical technology adoption. He writes about the decisions business leaders are often expected to make without enough context, including cybersecurity, compliance, AI, cyber insurance, IT strategy, and business resilience. Outside the office, you’ll often find Randy on Lake Erie enjoying time on his 38-foot Chris-Craft. **Writes about:** Cybersecurity strategy, compliance, AI security, business resilience, cyber insurance, SMB risk, IT leadership [More From This Author →](https://blog.securafy.com/author/randyhall) Related Articles Business Continuity [Compliance Risk Assessment: How Downtime Impacts Your Bottom Line](https://blog.securafy.com/compliance-risk-assessment-how-downtime-impacts-your-bottom-line) When systems go down, compliance obligations don't pause—and the financial consequences ... Jul 28, 2026 Compliance [HIPAA Security Rule Changes Are Delayed To 2027: Why Healthcare Organizations Should Not Wait](https://blog.securafy.com/hipaa-security-rule-changes-are-delayed-to-2027-why-healthcare-organizations-should-not-wait) The updated HIPAA Security Rule won't take effect until 2027, but healthcare ... 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