February 20, 2015 by Vincent
Lenovo’s Reputation Marred for Pre-installing Adware
Lenovo, the world’s largest computer maker, admitted to have installed an adware developed by Superfish on certain laptop models shipped late last year. Unsuspecting users reported on the company’s forum that they are seeing modified versions of Google search results page — injected with third party advertisements and pop ups. There are also security concerns as the adware comes with a self-signed certificate, exposing secure web session to potential man-in-the middle attack.
In an official statement, Lenovo did not refer Superfish as an adware or a malicious software of any sort. Instead, the company “thought the product would enhance the shopping experience”. Following the inevitable complains from its customers, Lenovo backtracked the terrible decision:
We stopped the preloads beginning in January. We shut down the server connections that enable the software (also in January, and we are providing online resources to help users remove this software. Â Finally, we are working directly with Superfish and with other industry partners to ensure we address any possible security issues now and in the future.
Lenovo is perhaps the most successful computer maker at this point, with its net profit and market share rising despite shrinking PC market. The brand is ranked at second place, losing only to Apple, in Laptop Mag’s Best & Worst Laptop Brands 2014 scorecard. The company also owns the “ThinkPad” brand, a respectable one previously developed by IBM.
It’s illogical to put the brand’s reputation on the line for any reason at all. Regardless of the company’s intention, I find it very unacceptable for a computer maker to willingly and knowingly sell machines infected with adware, one that comes along with security flaw no less, to the public.
It’s a pity, but Lenovo has now become a brand that I would avoid for a long time to come.
Source: The Next Web
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