Posted on 07/21/2010 5:22:51 AM PDT by Gomez
Dell is warning customers that there is malware on some of its server motherboards.
The PowerEdge R410 Rack server has spyware within its embedded systems management software.
The direct seller is sending customers letters warning of the danger and also telephoning those affected.
A post in a support forum says customers should hear from Dell shortly. It does not provide any technical explanation of what type of spyware is included with the hardware or what extra cleaning process customers should go through.
Some forms of malware are likely to have spread if the hardware has been attached to a network.
We've put calls in to Dell UK and will update this story when we hear more.
The forum post, from yesterday morning, is here.
The forum poster was concerned not to have more technical information - and that the call he received to book technical support said the call might not happen for up to ten days.
In response a Dell support staffer said there was an issue with a small number of service motherboard stock - new PowerEdge systems are not infected. He said the malware would not infect non-Windows servers.
ping
I’d rather use a 3 year old HP ProLiant server any day than a new Dell PowerEdge.
“He said the malware would not infect non-Windows servers.”
More reason not to use Microslut.
“I’d rather use a 3 year old HP ProLiant server any day than a new Dell PowerEdge.”
Hehehehehehe
I have 7 “Compaq” Proliant DL380s running in my data center right now. Have been there for 10 years! Of course I have to buy replacement 9 gig SCSI drives off of Ebay but I have a stock of spares ;)
Ah yes! The DL380 is a workhorse!
Tip of the iceberg... I’m sure China is behind this spyware... And will continue to try to slip in these back doors.
This is a little disturbing, to say the least. What other manufacturers might be affected with this??
/johnny
The navy uses Dells almost exclusively for their windows platforms.
You know they just work. The only thing I have had die on them is drives. Since HP decided to not make 9 gig SCSI drives any more, gee wonder why, I stocked up on them from Ebay.
Along a similar line I have one 6400R quad CPU Xeons with dual HotSwappable power supplies. That thing keeps the server room nice and toasty...
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