Linux.com: ..with Linux Installed?

“Having Windows pre-installed with the average computer doesn’t
bring about as strong a concern to me as having Linux
pre-installed. It is easier to determine whether or not Windows was
altered in order to harm the integrity of the system (oxymoron?)
whereas Linux has an infinite array of sensitive files and
configurations making it much more difficult to detect any
malicious configurations.”

“The idea of having Linux and related software installed and
configured on a new computer that I purchase brings to mind a
few points that should, perhaps, be considered for it has both its
advantages and disadvantages alike.”

“An obvious disadvantage to the consumer would seem to be trust.
How many avid Linux users would seriously trust and use a Linux
machine configured and installed by someone beside himself or
herself? Who is to say that no one file, out of thousands upon
thousands, have been altered in order to cripple the integrity of
the system? Installing some trojan binaries can’t be as difficult
as it sounds and would most likely be transparent to the system
operator.”

Complete
Story