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Comment on From a cyber security aspect how hazardous are random mini PCs from Ali Express/Amazon if you are starting with a fresh OS install?

NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

It’s hard to say.

You install your own windows? Do you really know if the pre-installed windows gets deleted?

You install your own linux? There is still the BIOS that could carry some unwanted “evil” software.

Then there is the possibility of unwanted “evil” hardware or firmware parts inside some of the chips…

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Kelly@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

You install your own windows? Do you really know if the pre-installed windows gets deleted?

This one seems to be easy to manage. Formatting the disc seems easy to do.

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- viking@infosec.pub ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Deleting all existing partitions via the installer is already enough. Once a new partition is created, all files are essentially wiped.
  
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  - Kelly@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Sure, repartitioning works too.
    
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  - NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    
    Once a new partition is created, all files are essentially wiped.
    
    Partitioning does not wipe things.
    
    It rewrites the partition tables, obviously, but no data elsewhere.
    
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    viking@infosec.pub ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    That’s why I said “essentially”. The data is no longer accessible by the system, which is all that’s needed to prevent malicious files from being executed.
    
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