Do ACEMAGIC Mini PCs Still Come with Viruses??? or did they clean up their act?

[@HappyQuailsLC]

I bought an S1 after their other equipment's infection had been highly publicized for several months and they claimed they were unefffected, but they were also infected. I was so distrustful of a solution they would provide I ended up setting aside and not using the equipment at all and I considered it a loss when I probably didn't need to do so.

[@PCTechHustle]

Unfortunate! Thanks for this comment though. I've had several comments in this video for some reason ripping on me because I was "alarming" way too much, etc. Those who commented like that clearly don't have a profession in Network and Info Security like I do. You sharing this is exactly why I made the video. Sounds like they are still up to their same antics.

[@tendosingh5682]

All you can really do is make sure to always wipe/fresh install OS for any of these mini pcs before using. That includes wiping all disk partitions.

[@PCTechHustle]

Agreed, best approach is start fresh!

[@michaeleber4752]

I bought the Ace Magic AMR5 with the Ryzen 7 5800U and after seeing these videos I ran my scanners. No viruses at all.

[@PCTechHustle]

Good to hear!

[@WLM1212]

how is it as a gaming pc

[@michaeleber4752]

@@WLM1212 The APU and the GPU embedded in it is low end. I gave it to my son and got a Minisforum 790S7. It gives me a dedicated GPU but have not found how to set the UEFI so that I can have my second monitor on the eGPU.

[@theanglerfish]

@@WLM1212 good question maybe cards or tetris

[@christianwatt2924]

a proper test would require internet connection A. for up to date virus definitions and B. because any potential malware might not be installed until connected to the internet

[@PCTechHustle]

Not at all. If the previous bad stuff came preinstalled an offline scan would have caught it. I also DID connect it to the internet if you watch the video fully. I mentioned after finding a clean scan offline I connected it, got the latest windows updates, and scanned again.

[@christianwatt2924]

​@@PCTechHustle fair point! my apoligies, i did watch till the end i mustve missed that. I still thinka deeper dive would be nescescary maybe a wireshark scan or something since as far as im aware its not hard to make a virus undetectable by defender, i wouldnt be suprised if there could be a uefi rootkit, my scepticism comes from there statement which reads to me like "weve made efforts to make sure our virus is much less detectable" and not to mention offering justa 25% refund is pathetic, it should be a full refund considering it couldve potentionally stolen thousands out of your bank account or crypto wallet! none the less great video and thanks for spending nthe time the money investigating this :)

[@fenixdao5608]

​@@christianwatt2924Si reinstalo el sistema operativo se elimina el virus?

[@MikeJones_Official]

The 25%refund is on top of the full refund👍​@@christianwatt2924

[@Ivlodded]

How this brand reacted to these foundings showed me they definitely are not worthy any recognition at all. I wont ever buy another machine and only found out about these viruses when I searched a guide on yt about it. If that wouldnt have happened, I definitely wouldve lost my wallets.

[@bobajeens6029]

I just recently bought the i7 version from Amazon for the 8&9 prime sales I’m hoping my doesn’t have any malware. Because mine cost $249 now that I’m seeing these videos idk if what I got was a good choice. I just wanted PC for casual gaming but now I’m worried that my info may get taken.

[@PCTechHustle]

Run the same scam off your network like I did. I’d also suggest a fresh reinstall of windows

[@bobajeens6029]

@@PCTechHustle here is my update for my mini PC I did a full scan and the defender scan and both were negative on finding anything with malware or viruses of any kind Thanks for your help and insight your video was very thorough on what was needed to be heard and said.

[@RaeOno]

@@bobajeens6029you’ll have to let us know what kind of games you are able to run smoothly on it, i have it in my amazon cart atm

[@wreckamag87]

I also scanned mine and so far didn't find a single thing so it going good so far but i still scan ever time i get on it

[@JACJAC70]

Did you attach a network sniffer to make sure there's nothing embedded in the firmware? Still not worth the risk.

[@PCTechHustle]

I didn’t go to that length but it was isolated on a non-routeable network. Impossible for it to reach anything inside my network. Being that I’m going to wipe the OS ultimately anyway what I did was sufficient enough for me.

[@jeremybenoit759]

What risk? You know your own government spies on you anyway right? Lol

[@DanDan10101]

​@jeremybenoit759 different from being spied by some Chinese dude.. 😂

[@smithhehehaha]

This reminded us what we need to do while more and more consumer tech products are made from Chinese firms

[@GoreGamer]

Every prebuild from no name mini PCs to the AAA Over the top Custom PCs, I reinstall Windows from Clean storage EVERY TIME and you should also

[@PCTechHustle]

💯

[@robcarley7506]

I never use any pre installed OS on any pc, I always format the drive and install a fresh copy of windows.

[@PCTechHustle]

Good practice!

[@blindtechh]

Hope that they completely tell us how in the future, and yeah I don’t like using a modded OS when buying a pc that’s already built or a laptop.

[@PCTechHustle]

Yep! Modded OS, not okay!

[@kazekamiha]

I might pick up one of these, but I might just pull and replace the M.2 to start with.

[@ImJadenG]

Can you do a review of the blackview mp 100? I have doubts if it has any malware or not.

[@GerritTV187]

well i ordered (and returned) my nipogi (same company) mini pc (am 16) and although the scans were clean as well the installation of windows 11 was modified as well as in this video and there was chrome pre installed. couldnt find anything but i refunded it anyways because trust issues.

[@PCTechHustle]

Likely a good idea for sure!

[@Mickymouse56755]

have they actually solved the issue as iv just brought one getting it tomorrow ill do a fresh install just to be on the safe side as I think formatting the drive and putting a clean windows 11 pro on it then should solve the issue but really they shouldn't be selling pcs if there full of virus but ill check it over tomorrow and check it and scan it but ill defiantly be reformatting the drive and reinstalling windows

[@PCTechHustle]

Not entirely sure they have fully "resolved" the issue. If you are after one I'd suggest a full drive wipe and reinstall a legit copy of windows.

[@ck2503]

How did you get these derps to send you a test unit???

[@PCTechHustle]

They reached out to me actually.

[@supersaw1087]

Yo Dan just so u know the RGB app was for the lights on the side of the PC

[@PCTechHustle]

Yes, I did know that.

[@sshirzade]

To be safe, can you just replace the nvme with another one? They are very cheap and affordable anyways!

[@PCTechHustle]

@@sshirzade not a bad idea at all!

[@ludacris6600]

​@@PCTechHustle did acemgic got safe? Thanks

[@sages101]

I just don't see the practicality of something like this over a laptop. If you traveled with it, you'd have to pack kbm and a screen + power bar. It just doesn't make sense. It looks cool, but that's it.

[@PCTechHustle]

Yeah I see it’s best use case being just within a minimalist setup.

[@sages101]

​@PCTechHustle ya, it's basically a space saving "tower" good if you live in a broom closet. Lol

[@anastastioszolas4893]

is it possible to wipe the system and redownload windows?

[@PCTechHustle]

Yes. The best thing to do is to do a fresh install from a ISO downloaded from Microsoft. When I got rid of this PC I reformatted the drive and installed from a copy of windows on USB, downloaded strait from Microsoft.

[@ludacris6600]

Is acemagic safe now?

[@PCTechHustle]

Not sure I can say yes to that.

[@louman76]

I just did a clean install of windows with the drivers.

[@Loknath009]

30 minutes for something that should take maybe 5 minutes?

[@PCTechHustle]

I felt it was important to be thorough for this type of situation.

[@PinkyTech]

At least there were no more viruses.

[@PCTechHustle]

Happy to say so for sure!

[@liszcgsedt]

I am certainly no IT guru ... but absolutely don`t understand how anyone bringing home a new PC, no matter whether from a friend, Amazon, eBay or a reputable local retailer, doesn`t reinstall from scratch as the very first thing. Granted, I am not using Windows so it is usually not a choice for me (rather a routine), but even if I were, at least I`d want them debloated, right? I saw that referred-to video earlier today ... really, these pros omitting very basic security principles are just embarrassing. Rather than "this cool pc will steal your money and passwords" it should be named "look what moron I am and do not make the same mistake (oh and btw, this pc is cool, just reinstall)".

[@PCTechHustle]

Exactly. For sure I’m not trusting it, even with a reinstall.

[@liszcgsedt]

@@PCTechHustle With my experience, I do not think I can reasonably do much more than that (but I believe with linux installed, I am pretty much safe on that end). Yet, from tech content creators I would kinda expect regurgitating mantras like "do not trust, do reinstall, keep it local, do backup regularly".

[@tendosingh5682]

Reinstall from where? The source copy can be modified to include anything. Only you providing your own safe sourced copy makes sense.

[@liszcgsedt]

@@tendosingh5682 I thought that was plainly obvious. Granted, since I run linux machines, my thinking may be thence skewed, but I was of the assumption that even with Windows legitimacy of the particular OS copy is kinda determined by specific HW combination or the system can be (downloaded for free and then) activated via M$ support. The ultimate point is acquiring a full control (which admittedly becomes an unfunny joke with the local Windows account suppression and the upcoming Recall rebranding).

[@Stormy177]

​@@tendosingh5682Microsoft have clean Windows ISOs available and tools to create a bootable USB stick, so you could plug it into a PC and create a clean install created by Microsoft themselves.

[@dyldar4732]

This probably the reason why they're on sale for hundreds even thusands of dollars on Amazon during black friday week lol

[@TheBeardscraper]

Bought one for my son for Christmas last year and guess what? Fucking piece of crap wouldn’t even turn on and boot up…..after reading more and more of the same issues with the same pc I said the hell with it and got a ASUS ROG. Well worth the money

[@PCTechHustle]

Sorry to hear you wasted time / money with it.

[@jaylee2656]

i wonder window defender do scan bios too? its may future hide in there 😮‍💨

[@PCTechHustle]

Unfortunately no. Those are two very different things.

[@drewnewby]

Just subscribed to your channel, but this video is concerning. You mentioned being in network security, but honestly did a bare minimum threat assessment. There's still so many red flags here, an OS reinstall isn't nearly enough for what is very likely still on that system. No chance anyone from any sized IT dept. would give that BIOS or install a pass. You should have access to professional tools if you're in network security, why not use them?

[@PCTechHustle]

A simple reinstall is not something I would recommend, which I said in the video is not viable. I would recommend a full new operating system image directly from Microsoft, not the one it came with. I used what I consider sufficient enough tools to deem the system safe. The BIOS too, really wasn't the item in question or what was discovered in the wild as being infected. Sure, can a BIOS contain vulnerabilities? Absolutely, but those vulnerabilities are a bit different than a virus or malware AND extremely rare. Much more common and typical viruses and malware infect internal functions of an operating system or file system. The issues reported with these devices were found on common windows defender / virus scanners. Malware bytes and defender are actually very powerful and effective tools. Curious what other tools you would think to use? My organization for example uses windows defender for virus protection on an endpoint level. We do use other types of enterprise security scanners but that would mean I would have to connect this device to my company network to run scans against it while on network, no chance in heck I'm doing that. Sure an extended layer of virus protection is done at the network level scanning for signatures related to known malware and viruses. Which I mentioned in the video too, I connected the system to a locked down network that would be scanned by my firewall. In the end, no I don't recommend the device. Even if they are "safe" they still come with a modified OS, as I mentioned. Trust in the brand has been tarnished. Was mine "clean" yes, to the extent I was able to check but beyond doing a packet capture and individually inspecting each packet, I feel I was thorough. Shoot even wireshark will not ALARM you to threats, its just packet flows, you almost have to know what you are looking for at that point.

[@drewnewby]

Apologies, without knowing your role or company, it was unfair to suggest you would have access to non-consumer tools. In the large Fortune 100 corporations in finance and tech that I've worked for it is common though. The response from the label / brand, ACEMAGIC, reads like boilerplate legal defense from the parent, Shenzhen CYX Industrial Co., Ltd. I find it highly likely malware was multilevel, and possibly still present in firmware, so not extremely rare in cases where the "infection" is from the factory by design. When mentioning an OS reinstall, it is a given that is a full reinstall from Microsoft, not a system restore or factory reset. Neither would be sufficient for this circumstance. The brand is blacklisted obviously, but the parent will just create a new one, as they have done in the past. Be wary of all mini PCs sent for review, they all come from a very small number of manufacturers, with quite questionable histories. It's no coincidence you only see their reviews on smaller / newer channels. As a content creator, you're far better off avoiding them for credibility, in my opinion.

[@PCTechHustle]

Great input. My access to non-consumer tools outside using them directly on-net is the question. The challenge of using other non-consumer tools, many of them require either some installation of a product on the end-device or connection to it via a network, which in both cases I’m not going to do. Licensing also tricky with that kind of stuff, in this case. Also, I am being a bit vague mentioning what exact tools my organization uses only because obscurity purposes. Just being careful. Yes, and I agree. Now after learning of the potential dangers of mini PCs and like you mentioned they all near funneling from the same place I’m very skeptical as well. The idea is neat but not practical, especially if the process start to finish leaves security questions. Thanks for your detailed input and of course the sub! 🥰

[@MikeInTennessee423]

So this is what nerd pearl clutching looks like. They had a problem, they addressed it, and you are upset at what? The grammar used on the website? The website layout? They didn't keep pointing out the issue they had? smh🤦

[@PCTechHustle]

I'm upset with them for clear willful negligence. Or possibly even worse.

[@Matlockization]

The only reason why you're rooting for Acemagic and ruining your own reputation, is because of the kickbacks you are getting from Acemagic, shame on you.

[@PCTechHustle]

Rooting for them? What?!? Plus I get zero from them. The only thing I “got” from them was this crappy PC.

[@Matlockization]

@@PCTechHustle For me, as soon as I learned of their deceit, I would have returned their device, minus the hard drive. That way, they have no way or how over me and told my audience. Honesty, after thousands of years, is still the best policy.

[@sages101]

​@Matlockization you're very special, aren't you 🙏🏻

[@PCTechHustle]

@@Matlockization yeah sorry I’m not sure where you are going with that one…

[@TheTastefulThickness]

Why are you promoting acemagician right now? This is influencer malpractice.

[@PCTechHustle]

Did you even watch the video? I not once “promoted” them. In fact I was VERY critical of them.

[@TheTastefulThickness]

You literally read their PR message on air and then declared, "they have taken the necessary steps". There is a reason Gamers Nexus said this disqualifies them permanently. Enjoy your chinese check at our expense. The final layer of Dantes Inferno is reserved for betrayal.

[@peters8181]

To be honest normally I would care. But I am going to use this thing for only 1 thing. Illegal steaming. NFL is about to start and I need a new streamer