A Malware Funnel Pre-Installed on Your PC? - Comments Page 1

That may explain why the wife's two Lenovos have far more problems than my Novatech (small specialist 'no bloatware guaranteed')

Is this the start of a small maker resurgence?

Thanks yet again Bob, I'd probably be a gibbering wreck by now if it wasn't for your site and emails!

Jon

Toshiba didn't install any 'updaters' in mine!

Thanks for the information. I see "Dell Digital Delivery" listed and suspect that's the updater to which you're referring. As always, I'll create a Restore Point (have already the system image when I backed up) prior to deleting the file.

My confidence in Dell has been going downhill for a long time now. My next computer is most likely not going to be another Dell product.

Wouldn't it work just as well to set the system so that you have to view and approve what updates will be done and when? Or is the "Updater" a separate function from "system updates"?

After installing a new version of Windows for customers who had an older version that came with their machine, they are generally happy to no longer see OEM pop-ups usually generated by those installers. Just another reason to get the latest version of Windows, which often wipes them out and plugs another security hole at the same time... (assuming you don't reinstall them on the manufacturers' recommendation.) Note: Not every upgrade will wipe these installers, so don't assume it.

A 'Heads-Up' to other folks in my lower tech range: Dell Digital Delivery is ***not*** the updater. There was a fix available about a year or so ago on this issue. The eDellroot Certificate issue is now moot on my computer. Believe me: I am very careful about attempting fixes, etc., without some sort of reliable guidance. When I saw the pop-up window: "Issue Not Found," that rang the bell which told me that this had already been done. Now I'll go get my 2nd cup of coffee and maybe wake up.

what about Intel's update manager?

Thank you, Bob, for this informative article. I uninstalled an HP updater for my printer.

@Lynn Dirk & @Steve - Those are very good questions. I'll check back soon to see if there is any replies.

@Lynn Dirk........"Updaters" are separate functions from "system" updates.

Microsoft Signature Edition (Dell laptop).

I'd never considered buying from the Microsoft store, but there was an amazing sale last Black Friday. When my new laptop showed up clean as a whistle, I started to rethink my shopping habits.

I'll probably buy from Microsoft from now on.

Another reason I always clean install Windows when someone asks for help with their misbehaving OEM computer.

Like Glen, above, we found no updaters on our Toshiba laptop. Also, none found on a relatively new PC my son helped me purchase and put together.

With such updaters deleted or turned off, how about using Secunia's (free) "Personal Software Inspector" for alerts as to when updates ARE available from software creators?

BTW, Win-10 wouldn't uninstall of either Dell updater or HP updater from my PC. It did trigger an option to turn them off - which I did.

OMG! I will remove, via Revo Uninstaller, any and all such BS. Question! If I bought a HP multi-function printer and it has an updater, will that allow the bad guys to screw with my machine?

I always build my own desktops or have my computer store do it for me. $50 to my store is cheap and I get what I want with no bloat ware. One reason I don't have a functioning printer is because I don't trust their software as well.

I like to use Secunia's Personal Software Inspector which is free to search for updates but I don't use the links in Secunia when updating since I'm concerned that they could include spyware in the download they link to. For example, if Secunia indicates my Java is outdated I download the update directly from Oracle rather than using the link to download in this software.

So removing the poorly written updater is a good idea, but not receiving updates on software is a bad idea as none of the fixes for security issues or just plain poor code will be received. What is the real fix you recommend Bob. Secunia or is there something better.

Makes me even happier that this old woman built her own darned computer! ;-)

I agree with your hint that the OEMs, some of them, are just using the updaters to watch you for "marketing" purposes? Microsoft's Windows updates is unfortunately necessary when it comes to exploits, but 95% of the time MS gets a continuous look at ~1 billion PC users.
Even if you put Windows Updates to Never, MS still has access to your computer. That was proven when MS put Windows 10 ads on my Windows 7 and 8 PCs that had Windows Updates set to Never. I prefer to do my updates manually.

What about anti-virus updaters? are they guilty as well of the same vulnerabilities?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm not aware of any problems there.