Run an executable to set homepage to MSN??

[annabanana]

I have my msn set as homepage and noticed the content hasn't been changed for several days now. So I checked out the new MSN page and was going to set as homepage, but I have to run an executable to do that? My first reaction was WTF!?? Is there a reason for this? Can anyone explain? Thanks.

 

[leeshor]

That doesn't sound good. It sounds like malware to me.

 

[jnjroach]

MSN's old page is going away on September 30, the new one is currently at preview.msn.com and you shouldn't run .exe to set it....

 

[annabanana]

I didn't think so either - did not run it. I'll ask some of my security researcher friends to check.

 

[leeshor]

Good idea. Are you using some other protection besides Defender?

 

[annabanana]

I use Kaspersky Internet Security, never use Defender. I found out the file defaultpack.exe is a legitimate file, digitally signed by Microsoft that sets homepage to msn.com and installs Bing. It still seems very odd that Microsoft would require to run this file to set the homepage. I'm hoping after the preview is over I can set homepage without it. Otherwise I sill not have msn as my homepage. Just on principal.