This Chinese PC Manufacturer Tailored its Own Devices to be Susceptible to Malware

Acemagic, a Chinese manufacturer of personal computers, has acknowledged that certain products were shipped with pre-installed malware.

The discovery was made by a YouTuber known as The Net Guy, who encountered malware on Acemagic mini PCs during testing in early February. The malware, identified as Bladabindi, was detected by Windows Defender shortly after booting the machine. Bladabindi is a well-known backdoor that can steal user information and facilitate the installation of other malicious software.

Recently, Acemagic confirmed that some of its PCs were indeed infected with Bladabindi and also raised concerns about the potential presence of another malware called Redline. Redline is capable of stealing information from web browsers, conducting system inventories, and even pilfering cryptocurrency.

Acemagic’s explanation for the malware’s presence was somewhat perplexing and inconsistent. Initially, the company attributed the issue to adjustments made by software developers to enhance user experience by reducing boot time, which inadvertently affected network settings and omitted digital signatures. However, in a subsequent statement to The Register, the company mentioned that the incident stemmed from similar software adjustments made by developers.

The company has pledged to bolster its use

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