Millions of Dell and Other Systems are Vulnerable

Researchers at Safe Breach recently shared that millions of systems from Dell and other companies are vulnerable to attacks. The issue comes from a software that Dell and others install on computers before selling them. Here’s what to look for and how to fix it.

What Made These Dell Systems Vulnerable?

Researchers found that manufacturers installed a vulnerable software on millions of computers by default. The issue comes from a weakness in a software called PC-Doctor, which is people use to check on a computer’s health.

Because the program has to check system related info, it has more access than other programs. So if hackers break into a system and exploit this weakness, they could cause a lot more havoc than if the software was not there.

How do I know if my computer is vulnerable?

You might think it would be simple to check if you have PC-Doctor installed. But many people don’t realize that Dell and other manufacturers build it into their own software under different names. Because of this, it can be hard to tell if you have PC-Doctor installed.

Dell builds PC-Doctor into “SupportAssist,” Corsair has it in “Corsair Diagnostics” and “Corsair One Diagnostics,” and Staples installs it as a part of “Easy Diagnostics.” So if your system has any of these programs, it may be vulnerable.

What Can I do about this?

Fortunately the researchers disclosed this vulnerability responsibly so that PC-Doctor could develop a solution. Because of that, a new, patched version of the software is available. If you check for updates for any of these programs, you should be able to fix this issue.

PC-Doctor updates released in the middle of June, as did Dell’s updates for SupportAssist. So check for updates along a similar time-frame for any of the other vendors to patch this problem.

Alternatively, if you rarely use the software, consider uninstalling it. Fewer programs installed on a system can mean fewer weaknesses, so it’s never a bad idea to check what you use and what you can cut out.

What else can I do?

Making sure you have proper security on your networks is key. Properly configured firewalls can often prevent hackers from breaking into your systems. And many modern endpoint security programs can detect intrusions to prevent more damage.

Elements like these are key to any network’s defense, but many people overlook even basic steps like these. Don’t be a victim— contact Haider Consulting today to see how we can defend your systems with the proper, custom-fit security for your unique needs!