Pre-Infected Computers Being Imported Into the Country

[bishop101]

Hi guys, have any you of read this recent article about pre-infected computers being imported into the country? Technolog from msnbc.com - U.S. official says pre-infected computer tech entering country

If spyware is installed on the bios, and chipset it wouldn't make a difference if you built your own pc.

How exactly doess one install spyware and malware on a chipset? How can you remove it?

 

[Britton30]

If it is hard wired or hard-coded, I don't think it could be removed in the normal sense. The physical structure of chips and basic codes would need to be modified. That probably won't be possible.

 

[alphanumeric]

If you know what you are doing it isn't that hard to add extra code to a bios file or a devices firmware. Routers switches and other network equipment have updateable firmware just like you can update the BIOS on a PC. You could add code to let you log in though a back door. Or add code to simply disable said device remotely. To get ride of the maleware you would have to flash the chip on the device with a known good BIOS or firmware file. If the chip can't be reprogrammed you would have to replace the chip or scrap the device. Even digital picture frames and MP3 players could have infected files added. That free sample loads a Trojan or root kit when you view it or play the song.

 

[jebuchanan]

I have seen this before. As long as you have adequate security software, and update any firmware, I think you should be safe from this.