[Hidden-tech] Lenovo does it again!

[Robert Heller]

At Fri, 14 Aug 2015 19:19:47 -0400 jwerner at jwdp.com wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> 
> I used Lenovo computers almost exclusively for years, but after the 
> Superfish fiasco early this year, I swore off ever using them again.
> 
> And now, here's news that they have gone even further, by adding a 
> feature to the BIOS of some of their computers that injects crapware 
> even if you wipe the disk and do a clean installation of Windows.

What happens if you do a clean install of Linux?

For me Lenovo *laptops* have become the only real option, but I never buy new 
computers and never run MS-Windows on them -- I only even run Linux.  As far 
as I know, only Lenovo laptops still have trackpoints and three buttons -- I 
won't use a touch pad -- I just don't have the 'touch' for one.  And I make
heavy use of a real middle button (and don't use or like scroll wheels).

> 
> This introduces a critical vulnerability that cannot be removed by any 
> normal procedures, including a full system re-installation, so anyone 
> who has purchased a Lenovo Windows computer in the past year definitely 
> needs to find out if they are affected and if so, apply the fix ASAP.
> 
> This hasn't received the publicity that Superfish got, although it is 
> far more insidious.
> 
> Ars Technica provides a fairly technical explanation and also links to 
> pages on Lenovo's site where you can find out if your system is affected 
> and in some cases download a fix.
> 
> http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/lenovo-used-windows-anti-theft-feature-to-install-persistent-crapware/
> 
> or:  http://tinyurl.com/qcaff6t
> 
> There is just no way to trust a company that can do this kind of thing.
> 
> 
> Jan  Werner
> 
> 
> 
> 
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