04/06/2007, 4:55pm, EDT
Friday, April 6th
iPod proof-of-concept virus created
Researchers at a Russian-owned security firm, Kaspersky Lab, claim to have developed the first virus designed to infect an iPod itself rather than a connected computer. Called "Podloso," the virus is actually a proof-of-concept designed to test the vulnerabilities of the player, and as such poses no immediate danger to iPod owners, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Infection requires two deliberate steps: users must first install a copy of the Linux operating system, and then install the virus, which contaminates essential files.
Though iPods are safe for the time being, experts warn that as with other exploits, it may only be a matter of time before a legitimate threat emerges.
"We've seen it happen over and over in the malware world," says Dee Liebenstein, the director of product management at SecureWave.
"Someone will do a test, creating a simple thing that does no real damage. Once hackers see that the approach works, they continue to tweak it and use it for malicious intent."
Moreover, Liebenstein notes that the danger will only increase with devices like the Apple iPhone, which runs a full-fledged operating system and may be correspondingly exposed to further viruses. Analyst Nick Selby of The 451 Group suggests, however, that attacks may be a long time in coming.
"There's often a long way to go from proof of concept to in-the-wild exploit."
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Gosh! This could affect up to TWO iPod owners!! Stop the presses!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I agree with "dscottbuch", this is a Linux on an unsupported hardware problem.
Cannot believe that MacNN even ran this story. This headline is nothing more then a visitor generator!!!! shame on YOU!
Let me see if I get this straight... If I remove the installed OS and replace it with another OS with known vulnerabilities I can then infect it with a virus?
The urge to unleash an avalanche of sarcasm is so strong I can't stand it... but I must fight it back.
If there was ever a poster child for FUD, Kaspersky just took that title away with this one.
I cant believe how downhill Macnn has gone in its searching for stories. This is ABSOLUTELY NOT news to iPod owners, and I feel like macnn has been glamorizing and sometimes making up headlines lately, just to get website hits and visitors.
The title of this story is completely false, and if the downward spiral of Macnn's stories continues, then I think I may have to find a new site for Mac news ...... as Macnn seems to have lost its way!