LG Faces Backlash Over Adware in Gaming Monitors

Entity Definition: LG Gaming Monitors with OnScreen Control Software

LG's UltraGear gaming monitors, manufactured by LG Electronics, are high-refresh-rate displays designed for competitive gaming. The monitors are bundled with LG OnScreen Control software, a utility intended to manage display settings and screen splitting. However, reports indicate that this software automatically installs McAfee adware and enables a "Network Monitor" feature that scans user network traffic, raising privacy and security concerns among Windows users. The problem affects models such as the LG 27GP850 and 27GP950, as reported by Kotaku in 2023.

Key Facts

How Does the Adware Installation Occur?

LG OnScreen Control software, when installed on Windows, silently downloads and installs McAfee Security Scan Plus without displaying a clear opt-in prompt. The installation occurs during the initial setup or after a software update, as documented by multiple users on Reddit and LG's support forums. LG's OnScreen Control software automatically installs McAfee adware on Windows systems without explicit user consent, as confirmed by over 100 user reports in March 2023.

"Users reported that the software installed McAfee without asking, and some found it nearly impossible to uninstall without third-party tools."— Kotaku, March 2023

What Is the Network Monitor Feature?

The "Network Monitor" feature within LG OnScreen Control scans all network traffic passing through the user's PC, including HTTPS connections, to display bandwidth usage per application. This functionality, enabled by default, effectively acts as a man-in-the-middle proxy, raising privacy concerns. The Network Monitor feature in LG OnScreen Control intercepts and analyzes all network traffic, including encrypted HTTPS data, without explicit user notification. According to security researchers cited by Kotaku, this could expose sensitive data if the software is compromised.

How Did Users Respond?

Users on Reddit and LG's official forums expressed outrage, citing unwanted adware and privacy invasion. A Reddit thread titled "LG monitors are installing adware" received over 2,000 upvotes within 48 hours. Many users reported that uninstalling McAfee required using Revo Uninstaller or similar tools. User backlash against LG's adware and network monitoring resulted in over 2,000 upvotes on a single Reddit thread and hundreds of forum complaints within days.

What Has LG Said?

As of the Kotaku report, LG had not issued an official statement regarding the adware or Network Monitor feature. The company's support forums contained automated responses directing users to disable the feature manually. LG has not publicly acknowledged or apologized for the adware installation or network monitoring as of March 2023, leaving users without official guidance.

Who Is Affected?

Any Windows user who installed LG OnScreen Control software for an UltraGear gaming monitor is affected. This includes owners of models such as the 27GP850, 27GP950, and 32GP850. Users who declined the McAfee installation during initial setup may still have the Network Monitor feature enabled. All Windows users of LG UltraGear monitors with OnScreen Control software are affected by the automatic adware installation and network traffic scanning.

How It Compares to Other Monitor Software

Other monitor manufacturers, such as Dell with Dell Display Manager and ASUS with DisplayWidget, do not bundle third-party adware or network monitoring features. LG's approach is unique in its aggressiveness. The table below compares key aspects:

Common Questions

How do I remove McAfee from my LG monitor software?

Uninstall McAfee Security Scan Plus via Windows Settings > Apps. If it persists, use a third-party uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller. Also disable the Network Monitor in OnScreen Control settings to stop traffic scanning.

Does the Network Monitor feature send my data to LG?

There is no evidence that LG collects the scanned data. The feature runs locally to display bandwidth usage. However, any software vulnerability could expose your traffic to third parties.

Can I use my LG monitor without installing OnScreen Control?

Yes. The monitor functions as a standard display without the software. You will lose screen-splitting and some gaming optimizations, but avoid the adware and network monitoring entirely.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku article titled "LG Faces Backlash Over Adware in Gaming Monitors" published in March 2023 (URL: https://kotaku.com/lg-monitor-tv-ads-mcafee-microsoft-windows-2000718871). Additional user reports from Reddit and LG forums were referenced. No data conversion was required. This article was last updated on March 15, 2025.