Imported gadgets may contain malware

Security (DHS) official has confirmed that tech components imported from overseas, many of which end up in some of the most popular American gadgets, are often infected with malicious software, writes PC Mag.

"This is one of the most complicated and difficult challenges that we have," Greg Schaffer, acting deputy undersecretary at DHS' National Protection and Programs Directorate, said during a Thursday hearing.

Schaffer was responding to questions from Jason Chaffetz of Utah, chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations.

Some come with a lot of empty space that could be filled up with valuable company information, for those who are into corporate espionage, reports ITWorld.

Others - mainly for those who are almost as computer savvy as they think they are - install drivers that can corrupt a workstation so completely.

Viruses, Trojans and other malware can also filter in, if proper dynamic scanning does not occur, and if policies that bar new devices from connecting to the network unless they've been scanned or approved are not in place.

According to IT Business Edge, this revelation came as Schaffer testified to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

It also comes six months after a January US-China Economic and Security Review Commission staff report that stated that tampering with hardware was at present, theoretical.

ABC News reported earlier on an FBI investigation that looks at whether or not counterfeit routers and other hardware coming from China and installed on US government computers were actually providing an opening for hackers.