Tuesday, July 30, 2013

British Secret Service agencies told not to purchase Chinese computers

(London) Britain’s intelligence agencies, including MI6 and MI5, have allegedly banned the use of computers manufactured by Chinese company Lenovo due to concerns that the machines come hardwired with a vulnerability to hacking.

Machines produced by the state-backed technology company, which is the largest PC producer in the world, are claimed to have been found in tests by MI5 and GCHQ to have modifications in their circuitry which could allow remote access to the devices without the owners’ knowledge.

The discovery has led to a written banning order being issued among the “Five Eyes” alliance of British, American, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand eavesdropping agencies, including the US National Security Agency, according to the Australian Financial Review.