Ipods Spreading Virus

[ashtones]

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20061018/D8KRBJHG4.html

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - In another example of how mobile gadgets can carry malicious programs, Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) said a fraction of its iPod players sold in the past month contained a virus that affects Windows systems.

The problem affected less than 1 percent of the video iPods that were available for purchase after Sept. 12, according to a posting on Apple's technical support Web site. The company has received less than 25 reports concerning the problem, Apple said.

The iPods got the virus from a Windows computer at one of its manufacturing plants, Apple said. The virus, RavMonE.exe, is known to spread through external data storage devices when they are connected to computers and affects only machines running the Windows operating system from Apple rival Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Security experts say the virus opens up further security holes for hackers.

Up-to-date anti-virus software included with most Windows computers should detect and remove it, Apple said.

Though the iPods themselves are not affected, nor are Apple's Mac OS computers, Apple recommended that iPod owners use its latest iTunes program to remove the virus from their new devices.

Other iPod models were not affected and all video iPods now shipping are virus-free, the company said.

"As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it," the company stated.

[SingSing]

"The iPods got the virus from a Windows computer at one of its manufacturing plants."

[Conquest10]

How convenient. Run ads about how only PCs get viruses and then spread them using their hardware and say it was an accident caused by PCs.

[greymalkin]

apple can cry about it all day long..there is still only a limited supply of people who are going to buy their overpriced computers.

[FulciLives]

apple can cry about it all day long..there is still only a limited supply of people who are going to buy their overpriced computers.

LOL

I so agree!

It really is crazy how damn expensive APPLE computers are especially in this day and age.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[SingSing]

Mac vs PC = Beta vs VHS

Bootcamp on Mac = Sony VHS VCR

[ashtones]

Priceless

[mecg]

"The iPods got the virus from a Windows computer at one of its manufacturing plants."

OK - so what was the windows computer doing in their manufacturing plant that a Mac couldn't do? More to the point, wouldn't you think all of their computers would be Macs? Virus or not - sound like pretty good advertising. Wonder if Bill is using any Macs to produce their stuff

[BJ_M]

this so much sounds like a bogus report ....

[MOVIEGEEK]

I bet Apple infected the iPods on purpose so they can make more of those stupid commercials:
"Hi I'm a MAC"
"..and I'm a PC"
"What are you listening to?"
"It's an iPod but if I plug it into you then you will get sick"
"Touche"
:P

[ashtones]

This is on the Apple site.
http://www.apple.com/support/windowsvirus/

[Leoslocks]

this so much sounds like a bogus report ....

From a reliable source, EE Times, Apple turns iPod into iWorm, blames Windows.

[BJ_M]

i meant bogus on apples part ......

[olyteddy]

...use iTunes 7 to easily restore the software on their newly purchased Video iPod to ensure that it does not carry this Windows virus...

Sounds like they're trying to foist iTunes 7 on us...

[thecoalman]

OK - so what was the windows computer doing in their manufacturing plant that a Mac couldn't do?

Probably running some software that isn't available on a Mac. :P