Dante send me a link to another “malware found on purchased laptop” story. The new M&A Companion Touch netbook contained three pieces of malware: An USB worm, a rootkit and a World of Warcraft password stealer.
These things seem to happen regularly and it is not only laptops that are affected by this. We have seen malware on appear virtually anywhere where it can appear in the last years, even on music CDs from a well known company. This leads to the interesting question on what users can do to ensure that their computer system is not already infected by malicious software.
Security companies advise to scan a newly purchased computer system thoroughly before starting to work with it. They also suggest to stay offline during the procedure which can sometimes be problematic if the computer system is the only available at hand. The virus definition files of antivirus software that is already installed on the computer system is usually outdated and might not catch the virus. The same is true for antivirus software that is purchased in stores.
Security experts therefor suggest to download the virus definitions for the antivirus program from a different computer with Internet access. That’s problematic if there is only one computer system available. Solutions for this might be to visit friends, go to an Internet Cafe or computer shop to download it from there.
Which leads to the question: What do you do after buying a new computer system?
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wipe it out, install linux, move on :)
Format all drives and install my choice of Windows on there.
Not all of new bought computers contain malware, though surely it can happen from time to time. I would definitely go back to the seller and return him “dirty” computer, if you ask me.
Junkman that is if you realize that the computer contains a virus :)
Wipe it and install the OS I want and the applications I want. Almost all new computers have so much crapware pre-installed that its just easier to wipe everything and start from scratch.
srsly, just format with ext3 and use a proper os :)
first thing to do is create a dvd image of the hard drive exactly as you bought it, and then format and install any os u want, ie Ubuntu. That way, when u go to sell it, u can put the factory image back on there.
Make your computer youself and avoid pre built computer that is alway junk
Reformat and use the disk image to reinstall the OS.
all new computers that come with microsoft preinstalled contain malware. the problem
is that nothing can stop microsoft from doing it, not the european government or even
the US government. microsoft owns you. bill and steve are laughing all the way to the
bank. the people have brought this upon themselves and it’s up to the people to free
theirselves. if you want privacy then you need to use an open system. a closed source
system such as microsoft and macintosh will always contain spyware and other control
mechanisms. hello? hello? can anybody hear me?
i build my own desktops, but for laptops i simply reinstall the OS, assuming there’s a discrete OS install disc and not a restore disc. If it’s not included, i obtain the product key and a copy of the OS so that i can bypass the crapware most machines load.
In addtion to Bohemian said….
1. Open cd /dvd tray, put in ubuntu 9.04 cd
2. wipe off Mr.Gates useless stuff
3. Install Virtualbox
4. Install M$ crap on the Virtualobox sandbox with no more than 1 gb ram
5. Enjoy using new laptop / desktop
Then Ask Virus, worm..IE what the heck is that…:-)
Long live opensource
malware on new computer? That’s horrible.
Download all the latest versions of your security programs using another computer.
Disconnect from the internet, reformat the hard drive on the new one, partition it and reload the operating system. Load all important programs and the security programs you downloaded. Close all unnecessary services. Reconnect to the internet and update the OS either through MS updates or via Autopatcher.
Uninstall all the crap. Format and reinstall if possible. Make an image of the new installation to restore later.
Live offline and forget about computers ;)
On a more serious note, first apps that get installed are things like AVG, Spybot, etc. if in that time something happens you will notice it when you run the above. If it’s a malware that can evade anti-malware tools then you are in trouble whether the computer is new or not.
The article admits factory-installed malware is rarely found on consumer electronics.
Anti-virus firms have a vested interest in promoting fear to insure their own survival.
Ask for a refund for the Windows tax and install Linux.