Dell Reports Security Hole in Recently Shipped PCs

If you have a new Dell personal computer, chances are it already needs a fix for a hole in security.

Round Rock-based Dell Inc. said a program, called eDellRoot, installed on recently sold computers that was meant to help Dell online support give you faster service may actually increase your security risk.

"Customer security and privacy is a top concern and priority for Dell; we deeply regret that this has happened and are taking steps to address it," Dell said in a statement on its website.

The problem certificate began getting installed on computers in August, a Dell spokeswoman told NBC News. No word on which computers or even how many computers are affected.

Dell said the certificate is not malware or adware but may make it easy for hackers to get access to your private data.

Dell has posted instructions detailing how to fix it on your own (found below or click here).

The company also said it is pushing a software update starting Tuesday that will check for the certificate and if detected remove it.

Once removed it will not be reinstalled.

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eDellRootCertificateRemovalInstructions (Text)