>>>> If an agency is interested in maximizing backdoor accesses, having infected devices roll off the assembly line and straight to end users certainly seems like an ideal outcome.
And we already have proof that manufacturers in China have been doing this:
"Microsoft researchers in China investigating the sale of counterfeit software found malware pre-installed on four of 20 brand new desktop and laptop PCs they bought for testing. They found forged versions of Windows on all the machines."
This would be the easiest way to do this, and since it's already been demonstrated, I would hasten to say your tinfoil folding is certainly is not being done in vein.
And we already have proof that manufacturers in China have been doing this:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/sep/14/malware-in...
"Microsoft researchers in China investigating the sale of counterfeit software found malware pre-installed on four of 20 brand new desktop and laptop PCs they bought for testing. They found forged versions of Windows on all the machines."
This would be the easiest way to do this, and since it's already been demonstrated, I would hasten to say your tinfoil folding is certainly is not being done in vein.