Microsoft finds malware on ‘new’ products

PCs and laptops may already be infected with malware before you even get them home. That’s according to a recent announcement by Microsoft and discussed in a recent article in The Independent. As part of their investigations, Microsoft researchers bought products from various ‘PC malls’ in different Chinese cities and found that 20 per cent of them were infected with malware. Although it is not thought the products bought from ‘unsecure supply chains’ will affect Western supplies of physical products, the malware could still cause problems if the software is downloaded. Researchers found counterfeit copies of Microsoft Windows and malware that could allow cybercriminals to remotely control cameras, record keystrokes and gather personal data. The main malware involved is known as Nitol Botnet which the company has been investigating by many different means. Find out more about the technical reach of the malware by reading the full article at http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/microsoft-admits-millions-of-computers-could-be-infected-with-malware-before-theyre-even-out-of-the-box-8139437.html