First iPod virus deemed completely harmless
/v3-uk/news/1952138/first-ipod-virus-deemed-completely-harmless
06 Apr 2007, Tom Sanders in California , V3
Security vendor Kaspersky Labs claims to have detected the first virus designed to infect iPod media players.
But the security vendor was quick to point out that malware only affects iPods where the user has replaced Apple's custom iPod operating system with Linux. One could therefore argue that the malware is a Linux virus rather than an iPod threat.
The lack of any risk to consumers is further emphasised by the virus' inability to actually infect the players. Consumers have to manually download and install the Trojan. Only then will it scan the iPod's hard drive and infect all executable files. When users launch an infected application, they will be presented with a message stating: "You are infected with the Oslo the first iPodLinux virus".
Kaspersky nonetheless refers to 'Podloso' as a proof of concept virus. Security researchers use such malware to demonstrate vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors, but lack any payload.
Apple's iPod has been subject of a security issue before. Last October the manufacturer admitted that a small portion of its video iPods that were sold after 12 September contained a virus that targeted Windows systems. Systems were at risk for getting infected when the iPod was connected to a PC.
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Do you agree?
How is this a virus?
Let's see you have to:
1. Download the "virus"
2. Install it
3. Execute it
Whoooh a program can run !!!
"...it simply demonstrates that it is, theoretically possible to create malicious programs for such devices."
This is hardly a virus.
Why doesn't Kaspersky just announce the Amish virus again?
Posted by cyber_rigger, 06 Apr 2007
Tempest in a Thimble
Doesn't even rate a teacup. Good grief! This is like claiming that since Macs with Bootcamp or Parallels can get Windows viruses, these are Mac viruses. Go fish.
Posted by Michael Fischer, 06 Apr 2007
not big deal IMO
well, the news here would be a linux virus. I'm not sure exactly how it does this (probably just because you sudo it to install, so no big deal here) but I havent seen any of those in a long while.
on the other hand, you could NEVER get this into a repo so it would never spread too far. and sudo'ing unknown stuff (w/o checking the source yself or having it checked by reliable ppl) is giving unknown stuff unlimited rights. sth like "clicking everything" w/o firewall or virus scanner.
doesn't say fluff about iPodlinux's security, just about a small thingy called user stupidity.
Posted by ice, 09 Apr 2007