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Lenovo shipping computers with adware pre-installed.

Discussion in 'General Malware And Security' started by Plastic Nev, Feb 20, 2015.

  1. Plastic Nev

    Plastic Nev SUPER MODERATOR IN MEMORY

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    Computer maker Lenovo has been forced to remove hidden adware that it was shipping on its laptops and PCs after users expressed anger.
    The adware - dubbed Superfish - was potentially compromising their security, said experts.
    The hidden software was also injecting adverts on to browsers using techniques more akin to malware, they added.
    Lenovo faces questions about why and for how long it was pre-installed on machines - and what data was collected.
    The company told the BBC in a statement: "Lenovo removed Superfish from the preloads of new consumer systems in January 2015. At the same time Superfish disabled existing Lenovo machines in the market from activating Superfish.

    Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31533028
     
    Plastic Nev, Feb 20, 2015
    #1
  3. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    Tony D, Feb 20, 2015
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  4. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    Tony D, Feb 20, 2015
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  5. Plastic Nev

    Plastic Nev SUPER MODERATOR IN MEMORY

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    No Tony, it's an Acer machine and the problem appears to have come in and stuck to her Chrome browser, however you will see that if you read the thread as there also seems other problems in the background.

    Nev.
     
    Plastic Nev, Feb 20, 2015
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  6. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    I posted an article reprint of this problem yesterday at ExTS.
    I'll never purchase a Lenovo now. They crossed the line.
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Feb 20, 2015
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  7. DSTM (Dougie)

    DSTM (Dougie) Registered Members

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    I think most of the manufacturers are up to no good in some way.
    Some get caught some don't.
    I read somewhere that some TV manufacturers are now gathering all your user information with inbuilt recording devices.
     
    DSTM (Dougie), Feb 20, 2015
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  8. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    Microsoft vs. SuperFish

    bshark.jpg

    Channeling Batman with shark repellent, Microsoft today has issued an update for its built-in Windows Defender product that eliminates the secret adware on Lenovo computers that has become a hot button topic over the last 48 hours.
    Richard provided detail and commentary on SuperFish yesterday, and then subsequently posted up a poll on What grade would you give Lenovo's response to the Superfish situation?
    If you own a Lenovo computer, make sure to update Windows Defender to get the bits designed to eliminate the threat.
    In brief, Lenovo started installing a special bit of adware, dubbed SuperFish, on its computers last year. The company came under scrutiny then, but the outcry was minor enough for it to ignore. However, after researchers dug deeper into the adware this week, it was found that the software did more than just insert ads into random web pages. In addition to serving online commercials that nobody wants, SuperFish also tampers with computer security in such a way that attackers could spy on all web browser traffic.
    So what you say? I have nothing to hide, you say?
    According to security experts, SuperFish allows attackers to see ALL the communication that's supposed to be confidential including banking transactions, passwords, emails, instant messages, and more.
    WindowsITPro expert, Troy Hunt, has promised in-depth coverage for SuperFish next week as part of his weekly Security Sense feature.


    http://winsupersite.com/windows/microsoft-vs-superfish
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Feb 20, 2015
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  9. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    I think Lenovo covered the removal procedure nicely. Basically, you uninstall the SuperFish program and then delete the trusted certificate.
     
    Tony D, Feb 20, 2015
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  10. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    A lot of people wouldn't know where to find the certificate.
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Feb 20, 2015
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  11. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    I didn't know about certificates or where to find them until I read the article by Lenovo and the article I posted earlier. Both say the same thing. I took a Penn State course in Internet Security. We talked about digital certificates, but that was some time ago. I don't remember how they work in the real world.
     
    Tony D, Feb 20, 2015
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  12. Rich M

    Rich M Guest

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    For goodness sake they put this in some models and removed it. If I had a dollar for every spyware program Dell has put
    on their pcs or HP, I would not have to work. Weather Bug, Yontoo etc...
    Hey better not use any Seagate or WD hard drives:
    http://www.dailydot.com/politics/nsa-kaspersky-lab-russia-equation-group/
    OK can't buy any pcs made in China either:
    http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/sep/14/malware-installed-computers-factories-microsoft
    Hey at least Lenovo has genuine Windows on them or do they?
    http://www.microsoft.com/philippine...east-asia-afected-with-dangerous-malware.aspx
     
    Rich M, Feb 21, 2015
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  13. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    :lglf:C'mon, Rich, really?

    Running counterfeit in South East Asia. What does that have to do with anything?
    Criminals are installing this. Is Lenovo considered criminal?
    That's not in the US. (Iran, Russia, China, Pakistan, and other Middle East and North African countries)
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Feb 21, 2015
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  14. Plastic Nev

    Plastic Nev SUPER MODERATOR IN MEMORY

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    It would seem it is once the machines are shipped to China or some of the many third world countries, which considering so many are either made in China or those other places in the first place, does make you wonder if anything is going to be safe. How many computers, hard drives, etc are coming out of the Chines factory, or the Taiwan factory, or whichever factory, are being diverted, compromised, and then shipped on to the US or UK eh?
     
    Plastic Nev, Feb 21, 2015
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  15. Rich M

    Rich M Guest

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    You miss my whole point it is not where the pc is but where it was made that matters. 90% of all brand name pcs are made in SouthEast Asia.
     
    Rich M, Feb 21, 2015
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  16. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    I didn't miss your point. Apples and Oranges. :bnghd: :jump:
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Feb 21, 2015
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  17. Match

    Match Registered Members

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    Aren't computers assembled where Labour costs are low? surely this problem is a result of large corporations trying to gather marketing information? And by that I mean wouldn't Apple love to have one of there machines in the Microsoft Windows development office? And visa versa, same with Google Android, etc one employee, one PC, one piece of spyware?
     
    Match, Feb 22, 2015
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  18. starbuck

    starbuck Administrator - Malware Removal Specialist Administrator

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    There ia a Superfish, Komodia, PrivDog vulnerability test here: https://filippo.io/Badfish/
    Note: ... you should do the test with all browsers installed.

    The test only takes seconds to run and if clear you should get this message:

    130fe30c01d8d439ecad8fac6eddc83a.png

    That was the message I got after running the test on my Acer laptop.
     
    starbuck, Mar 1, 2015
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    Tony D likes this.

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