Microsoft: 59% of computers in China have been infected with malware before they are sold

According to a survey conducted by Microsoft China on notebooks sold in more than 40 cities across the country, 59% of PCs have been infected with malware before sales, and 72% have changed their browser settings.

These pirated Windows systems are pre-populated with malware that bypasses the default Windows security system. In this way, cybercriminals can control infected computers and steal various account and credit card information. More and more gangs for profit are organized to implant malware into pirated Windows.

Microsoft revealed that it has recently taken action against 16 computer dealers pre-installed with pirated Windows, including Acer, Asus, Dell, Founder, Shenzhou, Qixi, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo and Tsinghua Tongfang. These pirate systems are not installed by the manufacturer, but are installed by individuals or downstream supply chains to replace the original non-Windows operating system.

When Windows 8 was officially launched, Microsoft announced that it would no longer sell boxed versions of Windows 8 to China. This move is also to prevent Windows 8 from being pirated. Nick Psyhogeos, vice president of Microsoft's OEM division, said that since October 2012, Microsoft has stopped selling Windows systems in China in the form of storage media. After the inventory of the old version of Windows CD-ROM and other storage media is completed, the way to obtain genuine Windows in the future is only the factory pre-installation and Microsoft official website download two channels.

Microsoft said it will launch a series of anti-piracy campaigns in more than 40 cities across the country.