This Computer Shipped With Malware Already Installed!!

I received a review sample for a mini PC that came preinstalled with a virus. I wasn't expecting this and that's why this video had to be made. Do we really need to be worried about malware being loaded on PC's from the factory? I guess we do.

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#AceMagic #Malware #Tech

[DavidM]

And they will change their name and be shipping that junk again next week.

[AlexanderKnibbe]

I found viruses on a Kamrui PC maufactured in Fall 23. And Acemagic and Kamrui PCs are made by the same manufacturer.

[kirkkohnen]

My T8 from them also had malware. Booted it to make sure I got a Windows license, then wiped it and reinstalled Windows from a USB downloaded from Microsoft. Worked perfectly and scans clean.

This brand appears to be cheaper than others. I suspect it's because many folks don't want to deal with the hassle. On the other hand, I'm happy to take the "Malware Discount."

[annabelle-nnov]

As a gaming enthusiast I'm always happy to try out various mini pc's, people should always do a fresh install of a new system when they have a new product, it's the safest thing to do. Enjoyed your video, please keep up this rate of updates!

[fxnn]

RIP, sadly you not the first youtuber that got a AceMagic unit with malware.

[michaelhurd]

I just purchased a rebrand mini pc from acemagic last week. Came with windows 11 home. Never asked to sign in with microsoft. Went straight to a local account in the setup. Wifi drivers were not installed. Had chrome and rgb software pre loaded. I then formatted the ssd and installed windows 11 from the media creation tool

[nithwk]

This is why I nuke any windows install when I purchase a mini pc even if that means buying another cheap windows key from a grey market site.

[ejtaylor]

Thanks for having integrity and giving us your HONEST opinion. So many others have lost sight of how important integrity is, and sold out theirs for a few clicks & views. I was looking into mini PC's for a retro arcade to connect to my t.v. for the kids and watched a review on one of these AceMagic Mini PC's on a channel and they gave it great reviews (No mention of viruses just days after the big news broke). The next video YouTube recommended was one talking about the viruses on these mini PC's, so I went back to the previous video and looked at the comments and everyone was talking about the viruses on it and there was no interaction, acknowledgement, or retraction from the channel owner, so I unsubscribed from the channel as I no longer trusted their opinion.

Still looking for a decent budget mini PC to put Batocera on to emulate some retro games to use as an arcade. Still looking because there are so many videos out saying "This mini PC is the best.., " then another video from the same channel a day later saying the same exact thing for a different one. I think I'll stop watching reviews and just get on Amazon to look for one that has the specs I need and within a certain price range (~$250 or less) and get it instead of watching dishonest reviews. I'm not trying to perform life saving surgery with it, just play some retro games from my childhood with the kids. Again thanks for being a TRUSTED source for PC information.

[lukeb]

Microsoft watching this video: **takes notes**

[regwatson]

That is why I bought my Mini PC with no operating system and bought Windows separately.

[keepingup]

I always worry about something embedded in the hardware. I know it's possible.

[DigBipper]

I have 2 reasons why I don't run factory images on prebuilts:

1: I use Linux as a daily driver operating system
2: I don't trust the preinstalled bloatware, even from reputable manufacturers, because it's all too easy to ship malware unintentionally (eg the Lenovo + Superfish rootkit fiasco)

If I need a system running windows I install my own debloadted image off a PxE server that I have set up for VM deployments.

and when I don't use PxE I always have a USB disk with Ventoy preloaded and a couple ISOs :)

[sguttag]

Thanks for you honest "review." That said, I do use mini-pcs all of the time (not for gaming though). I do tend to get them as either fully ready to run with just the 64GB drive (whatever the small one is that allows the low cost Windows) or barebones and I end up loading Windows/Memory and SSD myself. So, if you do care to do MiniPC reviews, you'd have at least one subscriber watching.

[RyeOnHam]

Good info. First thing I do when I get a used computer for resale is format the drive and install a clean copy of windows 11 without the account requirements.

[WSS_the_OG]

I guess there's a reason we wipe and reinstall Windows on pre-made systems like laptops and mini PCs. Little did I know it was *this* bad, so definitely appreciate your PSA video. Thanks Rich!

[who]

I love the form factors of these machines, you just can't trust them 😢

[will]

Reviews of a lot of these Chinese mini-PCs mention malware in their Windows 11 preloads. It's worth doing a virus scan prior to inputting any personal data as a prophylactic measure. Some reviews also mention problems with activation, including those cases where the end user has wiped the system and done a fresh install. Some manufacturers have been cooperative in terms of getting their devices (re)activated, but not all.

[streamrsm]

Love the honesty. It is a shame because their statement sounded like a great response. But ultimately put up or shut up and they failed to put up. Thanks for the information. Keep up the good work. :)

[t]

I'm actually kind of amazed that this doesn't happen more often with YouTubers. I wonder how many of them are careful about the computer before they hook it up to their Network or give personal information on it.

[WillPlaysGames]

this is why i always do a whole windows reinstall on any prebuilt/preloaded computer incase something like this happens