The chairman of Lenovo Group Ltd., the computer maker partly owned by the Chinese government and the buyer of IBM's PC division in 2005, said Thursday that the 16,000 computers his firm sold to the U.S. State Department are not a security threat. Last week the State Department announced that the Lenovo computers, part of a $13 million purchase by the agency, would be relegated to "unclassified" settings. The department was responding to criticism leveled by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) that at least 900 of the computers were destined for a classified-chore network.
"This decision would have had dire consequences for our national security, potentially jeopardizing our investment in a secure IT infrastructure," Wolf wrote to the State Department in early May. "It is no secret that the United States is a principal target of Chinese intelligence services."
On May 18, the State Department said it would pull Lenovo systems already deployed in classified settings, change its procurement procedures, and brief other federal agencies on the concerns.
Thursday, Yang Yuanqing, chairman of Lenovo, told reporters in Hong Kong that there was no reason to worry about the security of computers his company makes.
"The [Chinese] government isn't involved in any daily operation of the company, including our strategic positions, appointment of our CEO, or our financing," Yang told the Associated Press at a Hong Kong news conference. "Our management team is in charge of that. I don't believe because Legend Holdings is our biggest shareholder that this means we are a government-controlled company."
Legend Holdings is controlled by the Chinese government.
A U.S. security analyst doesn't think that Lenovo's PCs are a security threat -- not that a computer maker couldn't plant impossible-to-detect spyware on a system as it's built -- but believes any purchase of machines from a Chinese-controlled company is a bad idea.
I don't see any existing security threat from Chinese-based computers," said Richard Stiennon, formerly a research director at spyware vendor Webroot, now a security analyst at his IT-Harvest consultancy.
"But I don't believe the government should be buying PCs from China," he continued. "We're at war with China."
That war, said Stiennon, is a behind-the-scenes cyber war. "The Chinese are actively hacking a lot of government sites," said Stiennon. "And some of it, I believe, is sanctioned and even backed by the Chinese government."
Last year, reports circulated in newspapers such as the Washington Post and publications such as Time of a campaign dubbed "Titan Rain" in which Chinese hackers had broken into numerous U.S. military and government servers. Sources said that the recipient of stolen data was the Chinese government. And while Stiennon doesn't think Lenovo is adding spyware to its systems, it would be simple for a computer manufacturer to embed malicious code, including keyloggers that would record every keystroke, in the machine on the factory floor. "You could embed a keystroke logger in the BIOS, or in a programmable chip."
In-PC spyware would be even more difficult to detect than the most sophisticated rootkit-using Trojan horse software, Stiennon said.
In January, a security researcher laid out how rootkits could be planted in a PC's BIOS flash memory, and noted that such tactics would be immune not only to most detection techniques, but even to a hard disk reformat and operating system reinstall.
"We're an international company driven by the market," Yang said Thursday. "Our operation is very transparent, and trust and honesty are very important to us."
But apparently not transparent enough for the State Department.
Security knows days are the major part of concern. Whether it is home, nation or office security all want to be safe. For that many companies had launched their security programs. It includes various kinds of gadgets. These gadgets include all latest technologies. But whatever may be criteria men now days should themselves be well versed with security. People should be active enough if there is any security threat. It cans safe much life. They should possessed good sense of humor.
For that before constructing house security measured should be properly install. If there is fire at home then the first step is to switch off the main supply of electricity. Use fire extinguisher then immediately call the fire brigade van. If during night one hears some kind of sound, then call the police immediately. Before waiting for the thief to enter. There should be proper lights at home. It is especially when lights should not be put-off.
Major numbers like police and fire office should be kept in such place where it is easy to find. There should be proper lock system at home. It is always better to lock with codes. If someone knows about the code then it is always wise to change the codes. Even before hiring maid servants at home it should be registered at police station. If there is any threat inside the house call the neighbor first. For that neighbor should be good.
Don't entertain any such people who are new. Strictly ignore such kind of person. If then also they continue to come then launch complain to police. If there is any unwanted thing likes then also inform police. It is always good not to tell secrets of the house. It should be kept among family members. Try to avoid taking any food material from outsider. As many cases happen due to mixing of poison with food. Garden should be kept clean.
It is the 21st century where women are also smart enough. Many classes have been started for self defense security. They are very helpful as they can be needed any time. Security is the major concern of today. However, men can be secured if he uses his wit properly.
Both Dwight Brown & Oshik Amiga are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dwight Brown has sinced written about articles on various topics from web development, Spyware and Software. Dwight Brown writes about Spyware on his Blog . Dwight Brown's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
Oshik Amiga has sinced written about articles on various topics from Flirting Tips, Home Security and Information Technology. Absolute Security & Lock is premier provider of Security Equipment in Florida. We are providing 24 hour emergency locksmith services since 1997 to our numerous clients. For more information, visit:. Oshik Amiga's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.