Security News > 2024 > February > Chinese PC-maker Acemagic customized its own machines to get infected with malware
Chinese PC maker Acemagic has admitted some of its products shipped with pre-installed malware.
YouTuber The Net Guy found malware on Acemagic mini PCs when he tested them in early February.
Last week Acemagic quietly confirmed Bladabindi made it onto some of its PCs, and admitted that the Redline malware may also have hitched a ride.
Acemagic has promised to strengthen its use of digital certificates "To prevent unauthorized modifications," suggesting parties unknown may have been able to access its machines - or perhaps even its master copy of Windows - to deliver the malware.
Acemagic will refund the cost of machines made between September and November 2023, and has advised owners the date of manufacture is recorded on stickers affixed to the relevant models: the AD08, AD15, and S1. In a neat coincidence, the night before The Register received Acemagic's malware confession, a review unit for one of its PCs arrived.
The Register planned to test the Acemagic machine we were sent - an AM18 packing an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU - for our Desktop Tourism PC review column.