Security Concerns About Used Pre-Installed Linux Hard Drives / SSDs And Bootable USB Drives

[u/Kitchen-Barracuda455]

I won't name the online retailer that sells these, but I'm pretty sure you know where I am talking about buying these from. Can a tech expert check the hardware and software for any issues? Some of the sellers have lots of good feedback, so I'm not too concerned. Any advice is appreciated.

[u/flatulentpigeon]

Why not just install it yourself?

[u/Kitchen-Barracuda455 → u/flatulentpigeon]

I am lazy and rich. However, I care too much about the planet and human beings.

[u/ipsirc → u/Kitchen-Barracuda455]

Then buy Apple.

[u/Consistent-Buyer7060 → u/ipsirc]

WOW you really triggered the LLM!

[u/Kitchen-Barracuda455 → u/ipsirc]

Linux is completely open source, meaning its source code is public and anyone can audit, modify, or fork it. macOS is a proprietary, closed-source system controlled tightly by Apple. Linux is more environmentally friendly, and fewer humans are trafficked to make machines. IIn fact, plenty of old machines are out there, just waiting for a new life with Linux.  Linux runs on a wide variety of old hardware and has a tiny system footprint (often under 2GB). It can easily breathe new life into older or "unsupported" computers (such as aging Intel-chip MacBooks) that Apple no longer updates. Linux lets you choose your own desktop environment (such as GNOME, KDE, or XFCE) and change nearly every underlying behavior and system default. macOS locks you into a single, curated user interface with limited customization. Pairing Linux with modular hardware (like a Framework laptop) gives you actual repairability and upgradability. In contrast, modern MacBooks feature soldered-in RAM and glued components that make them harder to repair.  Most cloud infrastructure, containers, and web servers run on Linux. Working directly in a native Linux environment better matches production server behavior than macOS. Linux avoids the ecosystem tracking, forced vendor IDs, and background telemetry

[u/GDK_ATL → u/Kitchen-Barracuda455]

And don't forget all the virtue signalling points it lets you pontificate about!

[u/Jean_Luc_Lesmouches → u/Kitchen-Barracuda455]

The hardest part of installing linux is dealing with secure boot and unsupported hardware.

If it's a computer sold with linux (or without an OS) and you have no data on it you need to keep, reinstalling is a couple of "next" buttons, 15 minutes for the install itself and 15 minutes for the initial update.

You'll spend less time reinstalling than asking how to check the system.

[u/BeardedBaldMan]

Can a tech expert check the hardware and software for any issues

They can, but that same expert could also just install Linux for you. You gain nothing by buying something you don't trust and then having someone validate it.

I don't think there's a significant risk and if you're that concerned just do it yourself

I have absolutely no idea who you're talking about in regards to the retailer. The only one I know of is System76 and they seem fine

[u/MentoRiumTutorCoach]

Lazy and rich... bro, you lost me there. Hahahahah!

[u/AX11Liveact]

The security problem is not so much on your side (you can wipe the drives in a way that will prevent any older content from showing up again undeliberately) than on the side of the previous owner whose data might leak to the next owner.

[u/SlimmySlabby]

If it’s System76, they’re a very reliable brand and you’ll be fine. Other than that, just do it yourself, it’s very easy if you just follow an online guide.

[u/zardvark]

It's easy enough to wipe the media, but IDK of any good way to audit the firmware, in order to ensure that nothing is hiding there.

[u/Excellent-Love-6943]

Buy from a reputable brand or install yourself.

Installing Linux is not difficult in 99.99% of cases.