Connecticut launches probe into Lenovo use of Superfish software

By Jim Finkle and Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen's office said on Monday it has launched an investigation into Lenovo Group Ltd's sales of laptops preloaded with Superfish software, which the U.S. government last month warned made users vulnerable to cyberattacks.

The office said that Jepsen last week sent letters to Lenovo, the world's biggest personal computer maker, and privately held software maker Superfish asking them to provide information, including contracts and emails that discuss their partnership.

Reports that the preloaded software tracks users' web searching and browsing for advertising purposes are "alarming revelations" that suggest Lenovo may have "seriously undermined computer users' online security and privacy," Jepsen said in his Feb. 27 letter to Lenovo.

A Lenovo spokesman said the company has seen Jepsen's letter "and will cooperate in responding to the query."

Superfish has not yet received the letter but expects to cooperate fully with the investigation, according to an email from a spokeswoman.

Other state attorneys general also may look into the situation. A spokeswoman for North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said that office is concerned and "monitoring" the situation.

(Reporting by Jim Finkle in Boston and Karen Freifeld in New York; Editing by Chris Reese)