Pipe 9KXH Computrace backdoor exposes millions of PCs

Computrace backdoor exposes millions of PCs

by
Anonymous Coward
in security on (#9KXH)
Security researchers have discovered millions of PCs have Computrace software enabled. This software is enabled in the BIOS by default. It allows for a PC to be taken over remotely. Most users are not aware that this software is installed and enabled in their BIOS.

History

2015-05-26 07:06
Computrace backdoor exposes millions of PCs
evilviper@pipedot.org
Security researchers have discovered millions of PCs have Computrace software enabled. This software is enabled in the BIOS by default. It allows for a Windows PC to be taken over remotely. Computrace does not enforce encryption when it communicates and it does not verify the identity of the remote server from which it receives commands. Most users are not even aware that this software is installed and enabled in their BIOS.

Nearly every PC has an anti-theft product called Computrace embedded in its BIOS PCI Optional ROM or its unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI). Computrace (aka. Lojack for Laptops) is a legitimate, trusted application developed by Absolute Software. However, it often runs without user-consent, persistently activates itself at system boot, and can be exploited to perform various attacks and to take complete control of an affected machine.
Reply 2 comments

i'm surprised (Score: 1)

by pete@pipedot.org on 2015-05-24 18:22 (#9NXD)

I'm surprised nobody knew about it being installed. When i bought my laptop it was a selling point, one for which i gladly paid to keep the subscription. Where i live and work the chance of theft is moderate to high, its worth it to me. But my laptop is now old enough that i doubt i'll see any bios updates...and being a dell (poor update track-record, ime)

Fun disclosure: i also run Cerberus tracking on my phone, and Lojack on my vehicle :)

Re: i'm surprised (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2015-05-24 22:52 (#9P6R)

I had no idea it was in my BIOS. My preference is that nothing in the host OS can modify the BIOS. Think of the hacking potential....