My HP Desktop was made in China - has it secretly sent my data to China?

[David1194]

I was dismayed to discover that My HP ENVY Desktop was manufactured in China by Chongqing Fugui Electronics Company, LTD.  Ship date was more than 4 years ago (09/17/2020).  Have the Chinese been remotely accessing the data in my HP Desktop?  How can I stop them?  I presume it's much too late to do something to safeguard my data.  Checking the MAC address (OUI) is how I discovered who manufactured my HP ENVY Desktop.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@David1194 

Welcome to the HP English Community --

Dragon Opinion

Hardware is hardware -- HP hardware built by HP or any other major manufacturer is inert, that is, the computer hardware is not collecting, sending out, or receiving secret nefarious messages.

Unless your computer was part of a master spy ring right out of the gate (very unlikely and generally the stuff of Hollywood movies), then any "spying" software is a result of your Internet travels, your security (or lack of such), and the software and applications you have downloaded.

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"You are not the boss of me"

Many people, while they might be aware of the risks, tend to "do what they like" -- 

"Doing whatever" might include visiting questionable websites, installing software and applications from any Internet source that seems useful or fun, and generally turning a blind eye to many of the ways to get in trouble when "online".

If China or anyone else is spying on you and / or collecting your data, then it is a result of what you have done since you have had the computer.

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What to do

Secure your network -- that is your first line of defense against those who wish you harm.

Don't be silly - keep track of the sites you visit and pay attention to what you install on your computer.

"Don't click on random stuff."

Assume every website will grab whatever you allow them to access.

Invest in some decent Security Software and use it to monitor your system(s).

Read the security software help file(s) to better understand what the software can and cannot do to keep you safe.

Lock down your Browser software as best can be done using the browser's own security.

Do not panic -- Unless you are running a business, very wealthy, or a spy yourself, your life is uninteresting to most data collectors.

Do not be stupid about email -- 

If you don't know who sent the message,

If the message content is weird, unknown, threatening, or full of unicorns and rainbows,

Do not open the message.

Easy.

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Online Case Submission to HP Support is available to those whose devices registered and are still in Warranty.

Some (Most) regions display phone / chat contact information only after the case is submitted online.

Not every issue is covered under the standard Hardware Warranty.  Purchased Care Pack Warranties differ by contract.

HP is not a "general" repair facility: Requests for out-of-warranty repairs are usually not accepted.

If the problem is hardware, if your device is in Warranty, if your device is Registered, and you cannot submit your case to Support, let us know and we will forward a request.

Important

Never post private information in the HP Community!

Thieves are waiting - do not just hand out your privacy to their keeping.

HP Support does not free-post phone numbers for HP Support on the Internet.

Your computer is not full of bugs and you do not need to pay a fee for driver support.

Pay attention to where you are going.

Do not wander around on the Internet looking for help –

When looking for help, start only at legitimate web sites for your product

• HP Support  HP World-Wide Support
•  Store/HP.com USA HP Sales and Customer Service

Not your HP store? 

Scroll to the bottom of the store website and click the Flag to change regions.

• HP products, start here in the HP Community or at the HP Website
• Microsoft / Windows - start at Microsoft Web Site 
• Printer Software - 123.hp.com - Printer setup from the HP® Official site
• Combined Printer, Support, and Ink Subscription Service -  HP All-In Plan - Printer / Ink / Support
• Help with Instant Ink - HP Instant Ink Support - Website 
• Out-of-Warranty > Paid Subscription or One Time Help: -  HP SmartFriend Services | HP® Official Site
  • Open the SmartFriend Data Sheet - Contact Information 
  • Scroll down to section “Service by Region” and check the contact options in your region / location.

Do not be a victim.

Stay vigilant.

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[David1194]

To Dragon-Fur,

Thank you for your reply and suggested solutions.

Very helpful

David1194

[Dragon-Fur]

@David1194 

You are welcome.

Smiling.

I did not expect a response --

I stand by what I said -- I do admit that the wording was a lot of "typing on the fly".

The fact is that the minute we connect a device (computer, tablet, printer, phone) to the Internet, everyone that can see (detect) the device and see our shared data likely wants to track us, sneak, steal, cheat, or sell us something.

This all started as soon as someone discovered they could use the "new" Internet for more than passing scientific information back and forth.

All the risk is still better than living with naught but handwritten messages, faxes, and telephones to communicate.

😎

Cheers!

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.