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Remote Code Execution on Most Dell Computers

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Re: Remote Code Execution on Most Dell Computers

#141

Post by rohit2412 »

LeoPanthera wrote: post #126
cryptonector wrote: post #50

OEM: Let's differentiate our otherwise commodity hw product! OEM: I know, let's add value with bundled software the customer can't uninstall! Then the bundled software turns out to (inevitably) be useless vulnerable garbage. Inevitably because a) the customer doesn't need it, b) it's engineered with all the effort that normally goes into adware for captive audiences (i.e., _minimal_), which means it will be vulnerabl…

It works, too. This is partly why the iPhone was so popular, at first. It's been so long now that probably everyone has forgotten, but before the iPhone, essentially every smartphone on the market was fully loaded with trialware, crapware, and often had hardware features locked out by software so that you could pay extra to unlock them. I remember one particular phone that had four user-configurable hardware buttons,…

> often had hardware features locked out by software so that you could pay extra to unlock them.

Funny, apple did this to iPod touch

Re: Remote Code Execution on Most Dell Computers

#142

Post by [deleted] »

cryptonector wrote: post #50

OEM: Let's differentiate our otherwise commodity hw product! OEM: I know, let's add value with bundled software the customer can't uninstall! Then the bundled software turns out to (inevitably) be useless vulnerable garbage. Inevitably because a) the customer doesn't need it, b) it's engineered with all the effort that normally goes into adware for captive audiences (i.e., _minimal_), which means it will be vulnerabl…

[deleted]

Re: Remote Code Execution on Most Dell Computers

#143

Post by DEADBEEFC0FFEE »

LeoPanthera wrote: post #126
cryptonector wrote: post #50

OEM: Let's differentiate our otherwise commodity hw product! OEM: I know, let's add value with bundled software the customer can't uninstall! Then the bundled software turns out to (inevitably) be useless vulnerable garbage. Inevitably because a) the customer doesn't need it, b) it's engineered with all the effort that normally goes into adware for captive audiences (i.e., _minimal_), which means it will be vulnerabl…

It works, too. This is partly why the iPhone was so popular, at first. It's been so long now that probably everyone has forgotten, but before the iPhone, essentially every smartphone on the market was fully loaded with trialware, crapware, and often had hardware features locked out by software so that you could pay extra to unlock them. I remember one particular phone that had four user-configurable hardware buttons,…

Yep. FM Radio was a common feature back in the day.

Re: Remote Code Execution on Most Dell Computers

#144

Post by elagost »

I don't think there will ever come a time when 1) savvy users will stop suggesting/recommending clean Windows installs on new computers and 2) OEM bloatware will stop being crap.

I clean-installed Win10 recently. There was no driver installation I had to do - everything works great, and there are no unidentified devices in Device Manager. Say what you will about Windows 10, but that part is really cool. Save for video cards, the pack-in drivers are often better and less hassle. Plus they auto update.

Re: Remote Code Execution on Most Dell Computers

#145

Post by jtdev »

cryptonector wrote: post #50

OEM: Let's differentiate our otherwise commodity hw product! OEM: I know, let's add value with bundled software the customer can't uninstall! Then the bundled software turns out to (inevitably) be useless vulnerable garbage. Inevitably because a) the customer doesn't need it, b) it's engineered with all the effort that normally goes into adware for captive audiences (i.e., _minimal_), which means it will be vulnerabl…

One of the many reasons I stopped buying Windows PCs and started buying Mac...

Re: Remote Code Execution on Most Dell Computers

#146

Post by DEADBEEFC0FFEE »

mwexler wrote: post #78
tssva wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The author chose to download the software from the OEM and the software can be uninstalled.

Dell SupportAssistant was preinstalled on my machine. It was the easiest way to find Dell's customized driver updates since they are difficult to find (which of the many network drivers does my machine need?). It's sad that it has problems, but it's supposed to make maintenance easier. HP has something similar.

Not withstanding the vulnerability outlined by the article, the concept and utility has merit. For vast amount of users, sorting out chipset drivers is a hard problem.

Re: Remote Code Execution on Most Dell Computers

#147

Post by tracker1 »

albertgoeswoof wrote: post #2

This is exactly why you should remove any bundled software from vendors and try to start afresh when picking up a new machine.

It's been a while... but prior to my current laptop, I'd generally remove the factory HD and replace with an SSD before even booting once. Installing a fresh OS from the start.

Re: Remote Code Execution on Most Dell Computers

#150

Post by dontbenebby »

rohit2412 wrote: post #141
LeoPanthera wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It works, too. This is partly why the iPhone was so popular, at first. It's been so long now that probably everyone has forgotten, but before the iPhone, essentially every smartphone on the market was fully loaded with trialware, crapware, and often had hardware features locked out by software so that you could pay extra to unlock them. I remember one particular phone that had four user-configurable hardware buttons,…

> often had hardware features locked out by software so that you could pay extra to unlock them. Funny, apple did this to iPod touch

>Funny, apple did this to iPod touch

What feature did you pay to unlock on iPod touch? I'm struggling to remember...

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