Brand new laptop comes with pre-installed malware or similar?

[Oblivion1991]

Dear all

1.

Not many years ago Lenovo was seen shipping with pre installed Superfish “adware,” which could lead to other issues easily.

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Has there been something similar with HP?

2.
Brand new HP laptop

Windows 11 clean pre-installed - setup and configure Windows when laptop turned on for the first time
Fully updated
Microsoft Defender firewall enabled
No shady downloads and no shady websites visited
Offline
Full deep scan with Microsoft Defender = no detections / CLEAN

-
Can I fully trust this, that there is no malware on my laptop?

Thank you

[Dragon-Fur]

@Oblivion1991 

Presuming anything based on claims of what you read, see, believe, or have done is not something on which we should comment.

All other comments aside,

No legitimate company knowingly sends out malware.

Once connected to the Internet, you are vulnerable. 

The Internet is both wonderful resource and a dark and scary place.

Your comments are outside of the scope of our Community mission.

I have forwarded your concerns to our Moderator team.

Should there be a response, look for a message here before an agent uses other means to contact you.

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[Oblivion1991]

Thank you for your reply

Regarding question 2.
I am quite sure, that you are way more tech savvy than me.

Would you trust, that my laptop is clean?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Oblivion1991 

You are welcome.

I would trust the Windows filesystem, the BIOS, and anything that came in the box was clean.

Once you connect to the Internet, the system is vulnerable.

Presumably, and depending on your habits, the onboard Windows Defender security software can help the system stay safe from attack.  If you don't think that is enough, invest in extra security software.  Personal choice.

The truth is, the computer is only "safe" when it is isolated.

It's up to you to provide the means you think necessary to mitigate the risks of connecting the system to the Internet. 

You are responsible to keep the system safe from other forms of peril, including well meaning friends, family members, and anyone else you let use the system.

Asking whether a brand new computer is full of bugs is a level of concern that I cannot address to your satisfaction.

Dragon opinion

We live in a dangerous world -- it might take a certain amount of faith to accept that, do our best to reduce the risks, and keep moving forward.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[Oblivion1991]

You only mention everything that came in box.

What about after the laptop has been online, but only for a moment?

Fully updated
Microsoft Defender firewall enabled
No shady downloads and no shady websites visited
Offline
Full deep scan with Microsoft Defender = no detections / CLEAN

-
Can I fully trust this, that there is no malware on my laptop?

Thank you

[Oblivion1991]

You only mention everything that came in box.

What about after the laptop has been online, but only for a moment?

Fully updated
Microsoft Defender firewall enabled
No shady downloads and no shady websites visited
Offline
Full deep scan with Microsoft Defender = no detections / CLEAN

-
Would you trust this, that there is no malware on my laptop?

Thank you

[Dragon-Fur]

@Oblivion1991 

I don't trust anything overly much.

I've been doing this too long to think any system - mine, yours, anyone's - is truly "safe" on the Internet.

How much risk you face depends on your network, your router level security, any installed system security, your skill level, and -- more than much else -- your online habits.

Most of us prepare as we can, trust what we cannot prove, and do what we will.

Prepare as best you can and venture forth - or not.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"