Malware found in NEW PCs from China.

[no1_vern]

Malware being installed on computers in factories, warns Microsoft | Technology | guardian.co.uk

Criminals are installing malware on PCs before they leave the factory, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft researchers in China investigating the sale of counterfeit software found malware pre-installed on four of 20 brand new desktop and laptop PCs they bought for testing. They found forged versions of Windows on all the machines.

The worst piece of malicious software they found is called Nitol, an aggressive virus found on computers in China, the US, Russia, Australia and Germany. Microsoft has even identified servers in the Cayman Islands controlling Nitol-infected machines.

Nitol is a nasty bit of business, and the fact that the OS on all the computers is forged make buying a Chinese computer a serious security risk.

[Taxmancometh]

qu si

[Interrupt]

Now Microsoft cares? Two beefs -

Systems that are factory made and have Windows, I've found, also contain bloatware by partners of the manufacturing company. Half these pieces of crap loaded onto brand new PCs are nothing more than adware begging for upgrades. Where was a little judgment then either by the manufacturer or a ticked off operating system maker?

Secondly, Microsoft Windows ships with the worst browser offering in history, Internet Explorer. Any PC tech worth a damn will tell you the adware, popup and antiphishing protection in alternative browsers is better. A few hours of use after the customer receives the computer and browses the net a bit, they will usually pickup some form of adware, malware or junk on their new system.

Don't get me wrong. This is great. I'm glad someone is watching our ass. And it really doesn't surprise me that Computers in China are under the microscope. Thank you, Microsoft, for doing this.

But like anything else you need to go into it with some sense. Microsoft is a company and companies do things for a reason. Does it have to do with their new operating system rolling out soon? Does it have to do with a poor international image, especially after duds like the Windows smartphone (which, while some on the forum may like them, are currently purchased less than Android or iPhone). Does it have to do with future image of the security of the Windows operating system?

Companies have a right to seek a profit, clear their name, offer assistance where needed to spot fraud and all those things. Microsoft, excellent work, I just wish you would have cared sooner and revise some of your own products.