New PCs coming with pre-installed malware

[PerryC]

Just saw this on the BBC: BBC News - Malware inserted on PC production lines, says study

Somehow this doesn't surprise me.

[Herne]

Originally Posted by PerryC

Just saw this on the BBC: BBC News - Malware inserted on PC production lines, says study

Somehow this doesn't surprise me.

Its an extreme cause, but illustrates another motive for MS to get into hardware. Bloatware has been giving MS-based systems a bad reputation for performance for some time now.

[b1lk1]

How does this surprise ANYONE in any way? If anything, I am amazed it is not more common. Look at how Google has packaged their malware (android) and yet noone seems to care that the biggest data mining company in existence is trying to get everyone to use their software. It has already been proven that there is tracking/mining software in Android.

Building your own PC, in my mind, is the safest way to own/operate a PC.

[MacJunky]

That only works if you are smart and most people are not smart.

[BlueByte]

Its only bad if hackers do it, when a company does it is to protect their property Duh :S. ie Sony and root kits???? This was pirated software in China installed in factory images.... no surprise there. How about close to home can we define everything the big OEM's install "malware" looking at you HP.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by b1lk1

How does this surprise ANYONE in any way? If anything, I am amazed it is not more common. Look at how Google has packaged their malware (android) and yet noone seems to care that the biggest data mining company in existence is trying to get everyone to use their software. It has already been proven that there is tracking/mining software in Android.

Building your own PC, in my mind, is the safest way to own/operate a PC.

that data mining software is only found in phones sold in the states not Canada and has been proven.

[Dzzope]

Originally Posted by enaberif

that data mining software is only found in phones sold in the states not Canada and has been proven.

How about Europe / Asia?

Would be interesting to know where and what is being used like this.

[Galcobar]

Originally Posted by Herne

Its an extreme cause, but illustrates another motive for MS to get into hardware. Bloatware has been giving MS-based systems a bad reputation for performance for some time now.

That assumes MS contracts a more reliable factory to assemble the hardware than the factories other companies have contracted to assemble their hardware.

[FreeKnight]

It's obviously not the same thing, but this reminds me of the new HP Envy my brother bought a little while ago. I was amazed by the amount of garbage HP puts in their computers. From the last time I installed an HP printer I noticed there were an awful lot of 'data collection' boxes or notes hidden in the various installations. I can only imagine what comes with a HP PC....

[botat29]

When someone ask me to re install is HP Windows, I say go buy a Windows disk if you want I do it for free. I hate HP like you can't imagine. And now Dell is going the same direction.