New Machine Not a Safe Machine?

When you buy a new computer or other electronic device, or receive one from your employer, you pretty much expect that it won’t spew viruses or SPAM all over the place, right? Don’t be so sure.

ABCNews ran a story on their web site today about a poor fellow in Massachusetts who lost his job because the new computer he was issued by his employer was infected with a virus that caused the computer to, unknown to him, visit countless porn sites, bot-style.

And, it appears that the problem may not be reserved just for new computers. In a related story, it seems that even some new "intelligent" peripherals are also arriving "pre-infected" from the factory.

Most of the problems, it seems, come from the Chinese plants where the gear is made. It’s unclear whether or not the problems are intentionally malicious, or a result of now-common quality control issues with Chinese manufacturing.

The bottom line, though, is that it’s pretty important to keep your virus and malware protection up-to-date, and run checks regularly and thoroughly on every piece of computer-related equipment you own.