Is BIOS spyware a thing?

[Smausage]

I got one of my old computers back, and the previous owner has a long history of putting spyware on just about anything that can have spyware, and in any way.

A little background on this person--He knows quite a bit about computers. He's worked with them for most of his life, he's worked on computers for the military, and for large companies. He has a masters degree in networking, and worst of all, had access to this computer for more than a year.

I went as far as replacing the hard drive, but I still don't feel certain that my computer is free of spyware. Is there some sort of spyware that could infect BIOS, or any way for it to re-infect the new hard drive?...

 

[carnageX]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BadBIOS

Though only a proof of concept and not found in the wild, so I highly doubt your system is infected with it.

If you're that worried, find the BIOS update files for your system's motherboard and flash the BIOS.

 

[CMWAidanx]

BIOS spyware would require you to install a infected version of the BIOS as well as be connected to Ethernet.
Happy Computering!
-Aidan

 

[MemRefreshABC]

Hi CanageX, Are regular members allowed to help with virus removal or do they need to become malware trainees first? I am a bit lost and having trouble navigating my way through this site.