Acemagic Is Selling SPYWARE! Don't Buy These Mini PCs
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- čas přidán 25. 04. 2024
- AceMagic also known as AceMagician is an incredibly popular mini pc manufacture but buying one of their systems is the last thing you should be doing as their systems are riddled with spyware. See this issue was first brought up by The Net Guy Reviews a couple months back calling out Ace Magic for the spyware found on their systems and although they said they fixed the issue clearly that’s not true as after purchasing 6 additional units on top of the collaboration unit sent over. I found 4 with spyware, this came in two forms first in a program file called endev.exe which has ties back to the redline family of trojans that is designed to spy and steal information from users like passwords and person files. And that wasn't even the only form of spyware as I found that three of the units also had two known browser hijackers, upsearches and navwithus. Which take over your browser not only manipulating your search but also looking to steal any vital information or credentials that can be of value, to the installer.
I really hope to see that out of this video both Amazon and AceMagic step up their attack to this issue to resolve it so those affected by these terrible forms of spyware are protected to the best of the companies ability. For now I won't be working with Ace Magic for any form of sponsored video and will be holding all of my sponsors to the highest standard, to ensure any product endorsed is not only good but also coming from a brand that is trustworthy.
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A mini PC I actually recommend: amzn.to/3JAHACb
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This is why I ALWAYS reinstall windows on ANY machine that I get. I first run Active@ to fully wipe the drives then I install windows from an ISO that I download. If I didn't install windows then I don't trust it at all and it will go NOWHERE near my network.
That’s definitely an excellent model to follow however, majority of the people buying systems like this. Have no idea that they need to do this nor do they know how to do it. And that’s the real problem.
@@mattscomputerservices This is very true. Many people are just not that tech inclined to know that they need to reinstall windows on machines like this.
this will not help if virus/malware is present in bios, 0-sector of SSD or special partition in SSD that only visible in Linux (like we have in XBOX)
Did you consider that they may even have spyware on the chip on the motherboard...many routers from China were found to have backdoor on a non-suspicious looking ic on the motherboard and that was 10 years ago.
Wait until you learn about the Intel Management Engine
someone needs to sue tf outta them
Really unfortunate because I thought these Mini PC's were really cool pieces of tech. I even considered buying one. Whats the plan with all the units you bought then? Also I think it would be really cool if you did a video on the steps to nuke the PC and do a fresh install. I'm sure there's people out there who aren't very tech inclined who DID buy these and are frantically looking for answers.
Also great video! Subbed 👍
Bravo Matt - thank you for the detailed investigating here. I knew this couldn’t be an isolated incident and scary to hear infected PCs are still shipping to this day. Another CZcamsr called this a “buying opportunity” and gives them a pass believe it or not 🤦♂️ +1 sub from me!
I heard that the company has already recalled all the problematic products. Maybe it's better to wait and see how the situation unfolds.
I have the ad08 version with the navwitus found in browser. Just did a clean wipe and install of windows…worked like a charm.
At this point I wouldn't trust Microsoft either. Os level ads is just as risky.
one thing to consider is the possibility of resalers doing this then it really would not matter what company makes the device
Just a thought is there anything loaded into their bios that could reinfect a fresh window install?
It’s not impossible and I did think of that but it’s probably very unlikely, as it’s not only complicated to setup (doesn’t really rule it out but it would require some dedication) and based on the spyware I found it’s all fairly surface level so I doubt that it’s that deep but I’ll see if I can scan it for anything I missed.
@@mattscomputerserviceswhat about moonbounce or similar?
It would be ideal as it can be used as a launchpad.
I run linux no spy ware or BSD If it can boot usb I am good to go.
So it’s just on the OS or is there also firmware level malware? If you really want to buy one of these machine you might as well scrap the drive. At which point just buy a minisforum
I just wiped the drive & flashed regata OS on it, working fine now!
Thank you for this eye-opening video. Made me decide to not buy their products.
So glad it was helpful
What is the best laptop that stays cool for gaming?My price budget is 1200.What is the best thing for me to get?I would love your advice for help
First, I’ll say most gaming laptops have a cooling issue that’s pretty standard with this past generation of hardware. But one system that I have really enjoyed using did include some thermal results in my last laptop cooler round up is one from Asus: amzn.to/44iV1QF
It’s probably a little above your budget right now, but it may be worth saving for. It’s a really solid machine.
Also, depending on the deal, this is the cheapest you can get a RTX 4070: amzn.to/3QoIUvT
One more option to look at is this system from Lenovo. I’m actually working on a review of a system similar to this one and I like it quite a bit. amzn.to/44iVaDH
Thank youu
Well that's how they sell those mini PCs so cheap... they're selling your data as well! I wouldn't be surprised if this was bigger than just some gray market Windows installs, there's got to be a lot of breaches based on this kind of malware.
I guess the deal is still pretty good if you format the hell out of it.
I bought one of these PC's............had it attached to my network for over a week before I worked out what was going on (I was busy)........Google Chrome installed and loaded with spyware..............absolutely no support from Ace Magic OR Amazon
bought a new pc, wipe the whole disk, install whatever the OS you like, don't pay for the Windows OS unless it is free and comes with the pc.
Who buys a PC and doesn't do a clean install of the operating system?? AceMagic 'custom' builds might be spying on you, but plenty of 'big names' have been caught with their pants around their ankles for similarly invasive practices (we're looking at YOU rootkit Sony). Unless you go open-source, it's not a matter of whether or not you're being spied on but rather who you are choosing to allow to sell your information (we're looking at you AT&T, Verizon etc.). The age of privacy and anonymity is dead, and unless you work hard you ARE the product..
So does BackMarket. I have a PC with locked bios to prove it.
You can bypass it with cmd (the Microsoft acount requirment)
Amazon won't do eff all about it. Even when told many times they don't even remove software like Norton's that is geolocked but being sold in Countries that can't install and use it.
Honestly that’s what I think needs to change even more, because I see so many scam products these days on Amazon that it’s just ridiculous and whenever I report one it takes a while before anything seems to be done if at all. The best example of this would include the scam SSDs that I’ve made videos on in the past I’ll report them to Amazon support and usually they’ll still be sold for another month to two after that before being taken down.
You can still setup a local account when doing a Win11 install, i build about 10 machines a week so do this all the time.
My concern was more that it didn’t allow you on the initial setup prompt you to setup your device with a Microsoft account. It was bypassed. Plus to bypass it on the official windows installer you have to enter command prompt. Which is why I brought it to attention.
@@mattscomputerservices I find on the official installer / usb (Current), all you have to do is pull the ethernet cable at that point, click next. 2 mins later it times out and offers you a local account. As soon as you do that, plug ethernet back in and continue.
You seem to forget that Windows 11 is spyware in it's self. Even if you turn off the telemetry that they give you access to. Microsoft has made it clear that should you turn off all telemetry in Windows 11, it will be shutdown by Microsoft. So if you like telling Microsoft everything about you and your life, go right ahead and put Windows 11 on your PC. You don't own your PC with Windows 11 on it. There is an alternative but we don't want Windows people coming over. You ask Why? Windows users need a major shift in thinking and the biggest is they need to be a little humble when asking for help.
if you install windows 11 offline it will automatically skip having to make a Microsoft account ... very useful if you don't want one
That’s true, but on this install, there wasn’t an option to set up the device with a Microsoft account to begin with. Which shows how this device was being setup on a custom install of windows.
Wipe the hard drive via DOD Gautam format 3x then you can do a clean install of Windows Xo not use the ace magician system restore don't install anything ace magician find the hardware IDs and download the drivers take about 1hr for everything to be installed no virus no worries
Buy barebones get drives from reputable source
Install your own OS. You don't just consume food from random strangers, eh? Just purchasing Mac is another solution if you don't know how to install your own OS.
That's a legit review.
"They sent me free review models, so I bought consumer ones to fully review them..."
Also, he bought enough to make a class action lawsuit all by himself.
😊
when the biden team tells us as they did the other day about foreign countries in our infrastructure i think of all the cheap IoT products, mini PCs, TV boxes, emulators, etc., we buy everday...this here is an obvious thing...I expect we Americans are building the world's largest botnet for them ourselves.
DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE PC's - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED......I bought mine from Amazon in Feb 2024!!!!
Just a thought, if you or others are so worried about spyware, telemetry, etc. , why are you using windows? Linux anyone...
I accidentally read the thumbnail as delaware 😭😭💀💀💀💀
Funny how he's worried about a bit of spyware on his system when windows 11 is entirely filled with trackers, telemetry, os level shenanigans.. no-one should run it, regardless of what PC its on. Not to mention ' a very specific os installation cd for making a local account ' pish.. just install it without the network connected.
you're about 2 months late with this video. acemagic already released clean (iso) images for the windows re-install as the software required for the lcd to work is only included in the aforementioned image.
Actually the point of this video was to raise awareness that the issue isn’t resolved because if you can still by a system from them today with spyware then it’s still an issue that needs to be addressed.
@@mattscomputerservices You are buying old inventory. The issue was fixed months ago. Wake up!
The old inventory needs to be pulled then. Because people are still buying these PCs unaware of the consequences, so it’s important to raise awareness that they haven’t taken care of this issue completely if they’re still selling systems with spyware two months later.
@@mattscomputerservicesbut is secure? Now?