Recent content by KingDing

The Bios recovery disks linked to indicate there would be a way to remove malware in the bios. Are there any other areas (other than the hard drive) that firmware could hide. E.g GPU bios Or anywhere else?

I'm being left with the impression, that firmware malware is a big blind spot. That the average (even if competent) system repairer/rebuilder and IT tech - has little hope of addressing or remedying such situations. Is this really the final conclusion to draw on?

Moving on from "Refurbished". Are we sure there are no consumer grade tools to address this area-of-concern? Surely with eset being one of the clarion calls on this topic, showed there was (and is) a need for such tools in the consumer arena? Is it possible anti-malware vendors have got tools...

Your point is well taken. The data is clear. The prevalence of these types of attacks (through this attack vector) is only going up. Now, the question is, what new practices and approaches do need to start engaging in when refurbing/fixing/formatting + re-installing the average PC used by...

Now we're getting somewhere. Outstanding response. So, a question raised by the above, shows there is guidance available, and that its is being provided (so there must be a reason). I think it is a legitimate to begin opening up this topic. I too remember when bios chips could be swapped...

I've heard no mention of any software mitigations or malware analysis to address this topic. It seems to be a very touchy subject for some here? The prevalence and frequency of bios/firmware malware is not going down, it is going up. Is this incorrect? Surely - exploring the steps we need...

A) Do I need to clear the TPM? (Installing PRO where previous drive was HOME). B) I prefer Local Account to MS account. C) This Dell Laptop came with Raid enabled - yet it only has one drive. I do not understand why.

This is part of the work I do. Refurbish & donate to worth causes. I'm here in europe and we're going through what is being called 'The Cost Of Living Crisis'. People are turning to Refurbished and Reuse/Recycle schemes to lighten the burden. However - even if refurbished or donated, the job...

Just to start with, Dell support said that if the bios setting is set to Raid - I should change it to AHCI - until the install is complete. Then, once complete - set it back to Raid. I have no idea if I need to turn secure boot on or off. I have no idea if TPM needs to be cleared. Asking for...

I think I'd like to gently bring the thread back to the issue of how to deal-with/uncover/remediate/mitigate against BIOS & FIRMWARE malware - specifically. (The truth is, recycled / refurbished machines ARE a thing and will be so for the foreseeable future). It used to be easy...

Dell latitude 5590 laptop. Currently rocking Windows 11 Home OEM. (Upgraded from 10 Home OEM). Current Ssd is 256gb. Ripping it out and inserting a brand new, factory fresh (blank) 2TB SSD in its place. I will be buying a win 11 pro key from ElectronicsFirst. OS install - Windows media...

So heres an interesting angle. For those in the IT game that say 'never buy a refurbished/recycled machines' - then you'll avoid this concern. What happens when the 'brand new' machine you purchased instead, gets one of these types of malware. Are you suggesting you would bin it?

I am trying to open up an exploratory conversation, on the topic of bios/firmware Malware, on second hand and refurbished machines. Simple truth - our friends and family will buy recycled units. Many charities & NGO's will also buy the same. Now - As the IT guy that is often asked/paid to prep...

Okay, I think that there is a clear path forward. Both machines have 11 Home OEM. Confirmed. Just to keep it simple, what pro key MUST I purchase from ElectronicFirst for success? OEM or RETAIL? Or does the method detailed, make it completely irrelevant?

ElectronicFirst.com method ($5). This sounds like the type of solution that makes most sense. I just need to check something. Both machines will be sent away to my family members (far away), I'm just setting them up. In the future - if my family members need to re-install (format and clean...