Mrs. Mecomber's Scrapbook Talking technology, computers, and the Internet… for the average computer user

Ya gotta wonder.

A few years ago, there was news that Chinese-made Maxtor/Seagate hard drives sold in the UK and U.S. were infected with malicious trojans. From what I recall, the Chinese shrugged and said “oopsie.” Now there’s news that the Chinese are installing malware and distributing computer accessories with purposeful security holes.

United Kingdom’s MI5 — Americans can think of this as a combination of the FBI and CIA — has reported that the Chinese government has been giving UK executives electronics with built-in security holes.

According to the Sunday Times, “A leaked MI5 document says that undercover intelligence officers from the People’s Liberation Army and the Ministry of Public Security have also approached UK businessmen at trade fairs and exhibitions with the offer of ‘gifts’ and ‘lavish hospitality.’ The gifts — cameras and memory sticks — have been found to contain electronic Trojan bugs which provide the Chinese with remote access to users’ computers.”

How much more are we going to take? This is unconscionable! The Feds bust gangs for *thinking* about militia, war-time activity (which, last I looked, wasn’t a crime in this country– you can’t bust people based on their thoughts), but the Chinese get off SCOT FREE, contaminating our pet food, milk, hacking and spying on us, and infecting our computer parts with password-stealing malware. Unbelievable. All the while, the government continues to encourage out-sourcing of our manufacturing to China. It’s really unconscionable.

Beware ANYTHING made in China. Including the bought-and-paid-for politicians.