Cybercriminals have opened a new front in their battle to infect computers with malware - PC production lines.
Several new computers have been found carrying malware installed in the factory, suggests a Microsoft study.
Read more: Malware inserted on PC production lines, says study - BBC News
Microsoft Disrupts the Emerging Nitol Botnet Being Spread through an Unsecure Supply Chain [technet.com]
Diligence is always needed.
This reminds me of something that occurred several decades back. At that time files were smaller and the media of choice for copying was HD floppy disks.
Two types of floppy disks were available unformatted and formatted. These floppies were sealed and straight from the manufacturer.
Disgruntled employees (not sure but think it was more that one manufacturer at the time) inserted malware on the disks during manufacturer of the formatted disks. Again I am not sure but think it was hidden in the boot sector,
I am sure others can remember malware fresh and sealed from the PC or accessory manufacturer !
UncleDoug