It is not the first time that we see that they are put up for sale devices that have been infected previously with some malware. Basically, they are devices such as cell phones, televisions, smart watches… What they do is install malicious programs and they can use them to spy, steal information, remotely control the device or even steal passwords. It has happened again and we are going to show you which computers they are selling with pre-installed viruses.
This is a discovery made since Human Security. They have shown how they are selling Android mobile devices (phones and also tablets), as well as television devices, which come with a pre-installed backdoor. A major problem that endangers privacy and security.
Devices with pre-installed malware
Specifically, what they do is strain the Triada malware. It is a Trojan or backdoor that they install on these devices that they put up for sale. It affects the supply chain mainly from China. However, this does not mean that it cannot affect users in Spain and other countries. As these devices are sold online, they can end up in retailers of all kinds.
There are thousands of devices that have detected that they have been infected. But what exactly could they do? The range of options is quite wide. They could make fraudulent activities on those devices, create email accounts or send fake messages to attack third parties.
The problem is that, as the security researchers behind this discovery indicate, even if you reset the device to factory settings, the problem would still remain. This is because the malware connects to a command and control server on first boot.
Another very important issue is that the victim is not aware that you suffer from this problem. It is very difficult to detect, as it leaves no visible trace. You could have a device of this type that you bought online months ago and not know that it is spying on you or that they could be controlling that mobile or tablet.
Avoid this problem
Can you do anything to avoid this type of problem? As we have mentioned, it is not something new and has happened on other occasions. The main advice is to always make sure you buy devices from reliable sources. It is key to choose recognized stores, where you do not run the risk of being a victim of this type of attack.
Furthermore, it is essential to prevent malware infection through security programs or with the updates and patches that are available. This will help you correct vulnerabilities and prevent bugs from being exploited to put your Internet security at risk.
Especially be very careful with inexpensive home automation devices. They are widely used to sneak malware or be exploited by cybercriminals. By having more and more devices connected to the Internet, the risk increases and therefore you must take more precautions so that your data is not stolen or your security is compromised.
In short, once again a case appears in which they are selling mobile devices compromised with malware. They can steal your data and affect your security, although you can always take precautionary measures to avoid falling into the trap. Protecting IoT devices or any other type is essential.
