iPod Some iPods ship with a Windows virus

[Evangelion]

Again, Apple is not required to do anything, or compensate its customers in any way, and most companies would do absolutely nothing.

So, you are basically saying that if Apple ships products that can seriously harm their customers computers, they are not required to do anything? When Sony shipped audio-CD's with rootkits and spyware, they were dragged to court, and they lost.

The fact that Apple has provided such easy and detailed instructions on removing the virus, even providing links to free virus protection software for the idiots who have a PC with no virus protection, is above and beyond almost any company out there.

Isn't Apple just super? They are providing instructions on how to remove the virus. Oh yes, thank you Apple! You are such a great company that NEVER does anything wrong!

This is one of the main reasons I am an avid Apple supporter

Because they beat you up in order to "teach you a lesson"?

Also, yes Apple is responsible for thier product, the iPod. However, Apple did not create Windows

It's the iPod that is spreading the virus here. Just because Windows can be infected with a virus, it does NOT mean that it's OK to infect those machines. If someone creates a virus for OS X (it could be done), and started spreading it around, would you then blame Apple for creating an OS that can be infected with a virus, or would you blame the person who created and spread the virus?

 

[STLSigns]

Really... Get used to it folks. There are a bunch of A$$ holes out there. I have been lucky since 1982 to never had my Apple made computer crash from some outside source. Other Mac users and I are only safe for now. I can only hope that this helps to stop the "Brown Zune" from getting us all infected. MS Zune + WiFi + Music Sharing/File = Bird Flu.

 

[PygmySurfer]

If Apple has done this to Windows then it's a sure thing that Zune will have some funny hickups like this.

No, the Zune just won't support Macs at all.

 

[BoyBach]

I can see it now. Microsoft launches an "I'm an iPod and I'm a Zune" ad campaign commenting on how iPods come with viruses.

That would be bloody brilliant!

But has Microsoft got the nerve to produce such an advert?

 

[PygmySurfer]

You are correct in that *nix OSes have a better security model. But consider this - how many times have you ran or installed an OSX application and it asks for your password. Just like this smc fan control program which asks for your password. As soon as you enter that, boom, you have given the software permission to do almost anyting it wants. Any application we have installed on OSX and given extra permissions to, now has the same level of insecurity as any windows based application. It can do whatever it wants.

Except on Windows you don't have to give it permission. You can navigate to a webpage and be infected without even knowing it.

On a Windows machine, if you're logged in as an Administrator, every application you run is granted Administrator privileges. On OS X, even if you're using an Administrator account you're prompted for a password before critical files can be modified.

 

[bigandy]

But has Microsoft got the nerve to produce such an advert?

I certainly don't think they've got the grapes.

 

[STLSigns]

No Bird Flu for me, thanks.

There are many smart people out there that are going to pull this kind of thing off. Stopping this from being a problem is up to the affeced. I know that Apple sold iPods with this but it's not the first time that computer products came with problems. Correct me if I'm wrong but what is the first thing that you do when you buy a PC. Go online, goto www.MS, get updates, correct problems, wait, wait, hope they work, wait, they don't, a few months later your computer will not shut down, repeat. True story, not mine, LOL.

 

[PygmySurfer]

Creative did this first

Apple accidentally shipping a virus on a few iPods isn't a big deal. There've been several occurrences of big vendors shipping viruses on discs of retail software.

It also looks like Creative did this about a year ago. Only approximately 3700 Zens were affected, compared to the 25 or so (I wonder if we'll ever get a real number as to how many could potentially be affected) iPods.

Microsoft managed to ship 14,000 developers a Word macro virus in '96. Sure, it's not retail, but it appears to have impacted far more people. IBM shipped thousands of Aptiva PCs infected with viruses in 1999.

It happens often, Apple admitted the mistake, I'm not sure why people here are so bent out of shape. Sure, it'd be nice if it didn't happen, but it's not like Apple's the first (or last) vendor to do it. When the manufacturer of your car issues a recall, are you going to demand that you get your money back, AND keep the car?

 

[STLSigns]

Microsoft will keep it's distance from this if they are as smart as they clame to be... "XP can be infected by anything...including my new fridge."

 

[STLSigns]

F$#@, all my ice cubes are water. I guess I need to download a patch.

 

[matticus008]

But this IS Apple's problem. The Joe Sixpack buying the iPod does not care that is the iPod made by Foxconn or some other far-eastern company. To them, it's an Apple-product. It has Apple-logo on it, the subcontractor is not mentioned at all. Or do you think that you MacBook is not an Apple-computer, but it's an Asus (or whoever it is that makes those machines)-computer instead?

It's definitely an Apple product and an Apple problem, as Apple is the interface to the customer. But when you (hypothetically) go to sue Apple, it would be dismissed (idiotic judges notwithstanding) given that there's no evidence of negligent behavior or policy failures. It seems to be an isolated occurrence at a facility neither owned nor controlled/operated by Apple. Assuming the contractor still has full control over its facilities and simply performs the manufacturing to Apple's standards, the contractor is liable for legal action (from Apple and the public), but again only if negligence, deliberate action, or lax policy caused the situation.

There's no reason to believe, from what's been reported, that this was anything other than a freak accident that wasn't caught in time. The machine may have had antivirus software on it and it may have been isolated to the fullest practical extent. It's certainly not the first or last time this will happen in the industry, and it's not necessarily malicious or negligent.

So when things go well, Apple deserves the credit, when things go bad, the blame lies at some third-party instead?

The thing with "getting credit" is that you can't file an "good job" suit for the good guys, but as we all know, when something goes wrong, fault must be assigned (legally, that is; public/corporate/media blame games are optional ). Any given company x will provide its design and specify fault tolerances and time/volume expectations to its subcontractor(s). When the product is successful, company x gets credit because they're the ones designing and selling the product. When a product is unsuccessful, company x is blamed for its failure. When the product comes out with a serious flaw that was not part of the design, you bet your ass the contractor is the one that's in hot water--but company x takes the hit and is responsible for telling the public and remedying the situation.

That's exactly what happened here. Contractor screwed up, Apple issued a prompt statement and a fix and didn't say a word about the contractor.

 

[Passante]

whoa...

This is very bad news!
Luckily not many have gotten the virus, but could you imagine purchasing a device from a very reputable vendor, which contains a virus? This is indeed very bad PR.

OTOH...
I must admit, I did giggle for a moment there...

You mean like buying a Sony CD that installs a root kit?

 

[furious]

F$#@, all my ice cubes are water. I guess I need to download a patch.

rofl

 

[AidenShaw]

Changes with Vista

On a Windows machine, if you're logged in as an Administrator, every application you run is granted Administrator privileges. On OS X, even if you're using an Administrator account you're prompted for a password before critical files can be modified.

This is one of the big changes with Vista - it has a much more Unix-like multi-user security model.

 

[tyroja00]

Well, how about a lecture from someone who's been around the block a few times?

As for everyone who's saying that Apple screwed up, read more carefully:

This wasn't under Apple's direct control. Sure, the idea of a foreign OS is a great one. Even OS X would do. But Apple doesn't control the factories where they're made. So gripe about that, instead...

I don't know exactly what you are getting at, but just because Apple chose to contract out a job instead of actually hiring workers does not absolve Apple in the very least. They still have a duty to supervise the goods (especially when it is the whole unit that the contractor is making) for which they sell and yes are liable for any damages. One does not buy an Ipod from some factory overseas, but buys it from Apple expecting top quality in that brand's name. Just ask Ford about how many millions of dollars in settlements they paid over the Firestone fiasco.

All lawyers know that those liability disclaimers that Apple posts are just there to discourage as many would-be litigants as possible.

Not to mention that Apple should be aware that hackers do buy Ipods and OSX is not immune to them. Don't be fooled, it is our low numbers that keep us safe, not Steve Jobs. I love my mac but Apple's arrogance and belittlement of others (even when it is their fault) is wearing thin.

 

[skochan]

How does this work?

First, can someone explain to me how the virus propagates form the iPod to the Windows system and then to other devices? The iPod will aooear under Windows just as a file system. Does Windows see an executable file on the iPod and then run it? Or does it somehow get transferred while Windows is reading the file system? I mean the iPod is running a proprietary OS, not Windows, so I'm just curious as to how this works.

Second, I think this is definitely being blown out of proportion. Apple saiys less than 1% of the video iPods shipped after Sept. 12th were affected. If you assume they sold 250,000 video iPods (which I think is much larger than reality for the video), that's less than 2,500 iPods that were sold that were infected. Presumably, many people running Windows (and hopefully most) have virus protection and would have caught it. For thoise who don't, Apple was prompt in their response and posted the remedy. I would assume they sent an email directly to those infrected iPods, as long as they were registered (anyone have any verification of that?)

Let's not bring down a company because maybe 2,500 out of over 50 million iPods had a virus. It's not an excuse. It's just a mistake that Apple made. Nothing nnore, nothing less.

 

[Catt]

OK.

I know many people that have PCs and run them disconnected from any network. They then run important software and use these unconnected machines to store important data. They have another 'sacrificial' PC to use for general PC stuff, websurfing etc. They therefore have no Anti-Virus software on their important machine, but if they were to use an infected iPod on them then *bam* they get a worm. Ok it may not be able to send personal details anywhere because of a lack of an internet connection but if it were more dangerous it could still do damage.

So please, DO NOT say PC users who don't have anti-virus software somehow deserve this. This is just childish.

One a seperate note: Has there been any word on where these infected iPods have been shipped to? Because different companies have different Consumer Protection Laws. Additionally, although we may not know exactly how these iPods got infected do we not have a legal right to know? Or at least doesn't Apple have to be able to demonstrate that illegal activity did not take place? I am talking about deliberate sabotage here. I have no idea, I am just asking (before I get toasted )

 

[rtdunham]

I think I'm going to scream. Microsoft deserves every negitive jab, ridicule, flaming, and more...Why should Apple or anyone have to deal with this ridiculous situation? Microsoft is a plague and needs to be burned and destroyed. Break the damn company up and be done with it.

you'd be a blast in couples counseling!

 

[gauriemma]

I think the "jab" at M$ is great, I bet it'll piss off many pee cee people though. Har!

Agreed. People need to lighten up a bit. Hell, Apple's entire new advertising campaign is essentially making jabs at Windows. Get over yourselves. It's funny. Frankly, I'd have been disappointed if Apple HADN'T made some sort quip.

 

[BenRoethig]

Buy an iPod, infect your Windows computer.

Sure. Increase Apple's market share by taking down Windows PCs, one at a time.

I see through your nefarious plan, Apple!

If this benefits anyone, it's microsoft not Apple. This and the way it was handled might have just sold some zunes. How likely are you to trust a company who just shipped you a virus?

 

[s10]

WiFi virus

Immagine you would be able to squirt a Virus/Trojan from one handheld to the other..

that would be fun.. checking your Zune for virii every time you connect it to your PC..

 

[dernhelm]

I don't know exactly what you are getting at, but just because Apple chose to contract out a job instead of actually hiring workers does not absolve Apple in the very least. They still have a duty to supervise the goods (especially when it is the whole unit that the contractor is making) for which they sell and yes are liable for any damages.

You are acting like Apple is pretending this didn't happen. They are already admitting fault, and are taking steps to help people recover from the situation. I've had other products (including a download from Microsoft one time) that shipped with a virii much more deadly than the one that made it onto these iPods, and the vendors did much less to help rectify the situation.

This is not a new problem, and whether you like it or not, Apple's liability is much lower than you seem to imagine it is.

Is it pie in the face of Apple? Sure it is, they'll tell you that themselves. Is it all that unbelievable that this type of thing could sneak past the QA at that remote facility? Not to me it isn't, and if it is to you, then you simply haven't spent enough time in the industry.

 

[cadillaccactus]

From the press release:I wonder how many reports they are getting now that the news is out?

i wonder how many complaints they require to issue a press release. If I got 24 of my ipod-owning amigos together and reported to apple that our ipods were growing legs and running around do you think they would issue a press release?

 

[dernhelm]

Immagine you would be able to squirt a Virus/Trojan from one handheld to the other..

that would be fun.. checking your Zune for virii every time you connect it to your PC..

All it would take is for the digital copy protection that makes it into the Zune to be infectable somehow. It would surprise me in the least if it were possible to produce a "copy protected" song where as soon as you attempt to play the infected file in WMP, it will cause a buffer overrun, which will turn your computer into a Zombie. One that happens, exploiting a wifi hole would be simplicity itself...

 

[Lau]

OK.

I know many people that have PCs and run them disconnected from any network. They then run important software and use these unconnected machines to store important data. They have another 'sacrificial' PC to use for general PC stuff, websurfing etc. They therefore have no Anti-Virus software on their important machine, but if they were to use an infected iPod on them then *bam* they get a worm. Ok it may not be able to send personal details anywhere because of a lack of an internet connection but if it were more dangerous it could still do damage.

So please, DO NOT say PC users who don't have anti-virus software somehow deserve this. This is just childish.

True, but surely they'd still scan any device or disc that they were about to connect to the machine, especially if it was running important software? You can't assume thumb drives and CDs are safe.

(I agree that it's very shoddy of Apple to have done this, by the way, but I'm just surprised someone would connect anything to an important Windows machine without scanning it.)