Submitted via IRC for SoyCow1937
The FTC said Tuesday [September 5] that it cannot stop computer makers from selling computers that inject ads into webpages to US consumers. The statement covers Lenovo's practice of having sold computers pre-installed with the so-called VisualDiscovery adware developed by a company called Superfish. This adware, which was installed on computers without consumers' knowledge, hijacked encrypted Web sessions that made users vulnerable to HTTPS man-in-the-middle attacks and shared user browsing data with third parties.
In a Tuesday court settlement with Lenovo, the FTC said the Chinese hardware maker, or any computer company for that matter, was free to sell computers with the adware made from a company called Superfish—as long as consumers consented before it was downloaded on the machine.
"As part of the settlement with the FTC, Lenovo is prohibited from misrepresenting any features of software preloaded on laptops that will inject advertising into consumers' Internet browsing sessions or transmit sensitive consumer information to third parties. The company must also get consumers' affirmative consent before pre-installing this type of software," the FTC announced.
According to a Reuters article Lenovo paid a fine of $3.5million dollars as part of the settlement.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by NotSanguine on Sunday September 17 2017, @09:49AM
To do a bit-image backup of the factory installed hard drive (just in case there's something -- like drivers -- you might need), then wipe the drive and install a fresh copy of (preferably something FOSS) an OS using media you control and the contents of which you can verify yourself.
Sadly, too many folks don't know any better. Oh, when will they ever learn? Oh, when will they ever learn? [youtube.com]
As I said this bullshit from Lenovo is another reason to do so. It's not the only reason, nor are such practices anything new (at least not for me).
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr