Lenovo has been accused of installing spyware on its customers’ laptops. The allegations stem from a Chinese company called Superfish that sells software that intercepts SSL-encrypted web connections to inject advertisements into the user’s browser.
Lenovo was quick to refute these claims, stating “we have thoroughly investigated this technology and do not find any evidence to substantiate security concerns” in a post by Lenovo’s Chief Technology Officer on their site.
Lenovo was also quick to say that the Superfish software “does not collect personal information and does not run unless customers have enabled it in their system preferences.”
Superfish is a legitimate company, however, it is also selling a specialized piece of software that intercepts SSL-encrypted web connections to inject advertisements into the user’s browser.
According to Superfish, the software was designed with the help of the John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.
It was discovered by The Guardian reporters who said they were able to analyze installations on Lenovo laptops. However, they were unable to find any evidence that would prove Lenovo had anything to do with it.
When tech companies like Lenovo allow security risks on the personal computers of their clients and customers, this can take a toll in their market share.
The damage is made worse if the security lapses are noted and reported by influential security experts who have reach and a say in the market.
This is why Lenovo came in quickly to defend itself. While at it, they explained the possible security vulnerabilities, security breaches, and even went ahead to explain the comprehensive security systems they have for all their products.
Including how the alleged spyware can be mitigated using the software security program and settings already installed within their gadgets.
It is true that Lenovo laptops have spyware.
What is the software called? What does it do? Are there any dangerous side effects? Do you have a list of all systems affected?
The software is called Superfish. It was developed by an online marketing company called Komodia.
Its primary purpose was to inject ads into the user’s browser so that the company could track its traffic from the internet and sell data to advertisers.
Problem is that this spyware comes preloaded on the consumer laptops without consent from the consumers creating room for angry customers who may leave bad reviews on their customer feedback program.
Do Lenovo Laptops Have Bloatware?
Are the allegations about bloatware in these laptops true? Is it true that Lenovo installs a lot of bloatware on their laptops? Are there any other known issues with Lenovo laptops?
However, the allegations about the laptop slowing down and being very laggy are all rumors.
There are no proven side effects from having bloatware on your laptop, but the best practice would be to remove it if you don’t use it.
How Do I Know If My Lenovo Has Spyware?
You have a Lenovo laptop but you’re not sure if it is affected by Superfish. How do you check?
To see if your Lenovo has Superfish, hold down the Windows key and press R.
A run dialog will appear.
Type msinfo32 and hit enter. In the left column of the System Information window that appears, click on Components.
Click on Software Environment Redistributables and look for “Superfish (trial)” in the list of components.
For a more detailed guide on how to find Superfish using msinfo32, keep reading.
How Do I Know Which Model Of Lenovo Is Affected?
You have a Lenovo laptop but you are not sure which model it is. How can you find out?
You can find the laptop’s model number by going to the control panel and searching for system. Click on System Properties.
Then, under “PC Info,” look for the model number in the lower-right corner.
If you don’t see a “PC info” link, click on “View basic information about your computer” and look in the lower-right corner of that window as well.
How Do I Remove Superfish?
You have noticed that your Lenovo has the Superfish Spyware installed and you don’t want it. How do you remove it?
We recommend using the free tool “Windows Defender Offline” to remove Superfish.
This will allow you to completely remove all traces of it from your computer, including the certificate so that your computer no longer gets spoofed.
Use the following steps:
1. Download Windows Defender Offline from Microsoft’s website. The direct link is here if you have trouble finding it. Save the file (Windows6.0_Offline.zip) to a location of your choice.
2. Download Lenovo’s Superfish removal tool here and save it to the same location as the Windows Defender Offline file, overwriting it completely.
When you run the Superfish removal tool, it will automatically determine what software is running and remove all of that software for you.
3. Disconnect your computer from the internet and restart it.
After Windows boots back up, check if Superfish is still present on your computer using msinfo32 as in step 1 above.
If so, repeat steps 2 and 3 above until you have removed both programs completely from your computer.
Will Lenovo Remove Superfish From My Laptop For Me?
Yes they can. If your laptop is currently affected by the Superfish virus, Lenovo has set up a system to remove the software and certificate that may be causing you issues.
Please contact their support team at 1-800-426-7378 and they will be happy to assist you.
How Do I Know If My Lenovo Has Malware On My Computer?
Does your Lenovo have a lot of ads that pop up when you visit websites? And do you suspect it has spyware installed? What can you do about that?
To check to see if your Lenovo has any malicious software on it, please hold down the Windows key and press R, type msconfig, and hit enter.
Under “General,” select “Startup” from the list on the left-hand side of the window, then uncheck all boxes under “Load startup items.
Does Lenovo Steal Data?
Lenovo has had a number of pop-up adware incidents in the past. While this sort of malicious software is not directly sold or distributed by Lenovo, it can still affect your computer even if it is not directly installed by Lenovo.
To avoid having your data accessed or stolen, we suggest you use a third-party security program to scan your computer for malware and have any hard drives replaced in order to avoid data theft.
Use the links below for assistance with these issues:
Lenovo’s Promise of Security and Privacy
Is it safe to buy a Lenovo? If so, is it because they can be trusted?
You will be purchasing a new computer from the manufacturer when you buy a Lenovo.
Lenovo has a long history of building computers with high-quality hardware and security features that have been purposefully designed by engineers that have an understanding of security issues and are actively working on it.
They make their products with defense in mind, which means that they do everything they can to protect your privacy and data.
It’s not just for show or advertising; their goal is to provide you with the best product possible derived from their expertise in designing technology that protects your privacy.
