“…great computer confusion.”

-Pastor Jim Bakker’s “31 Things”

A study funded by Microsoft has discovered many new computers with malware that was installed at the factory allowing cybercriminals the opportunity to steal information from a computer from its first use.

The information comes in a release about the company’s investigation into the Nitol virus network. The virus allows criminals to steal personal information allowing them to access online bank accounts and transfer the available funds to untraceable accounts in offshore banks.

The report shows criminals accessing the unsecure supply chains in China to install viruses during the building process. Most of the viruses were found inside counterfeit software that Chinese manufacturers were installing on computers.

“We found malware capable of remotely turning on an infected computer’s microphone and video camera,” Richard Boscovich of Microsoft’s digital crimes unit wrote in a blog posting. It potentially gives a cybercriminal “eyes and ears into a victim’s home or business.”

Courts have given Microsoft permission to seize the 3322.org domain connected to most of the Nitol infections. The owner of the domain claims he knew nothing about the action and that they have “zero tolerance” toward abuse. He added, however, that they have 2.85 million domain names and it was hard to police usage.