Posted on 04/06/2007 12:36:16 AM PDT by Swordmaker
Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management solutions, has discovered the first virus designed to infect iPod portable media players. The virus, which has been named Podloso, is a proof of concept program which does not pose a real threat.
The virus is a file which can be launched and run on an iPod. It should be stressed that in order for the virus to function, Linux has to be installed on the iPod. If the virus is installed on the iPod by the user, the virus then installs itself to the folder which contains program demo versions. Podloso cannot be launched automatically without user involvement.
Once launched, the virus scans the devices hard disk and infects all executable .elf format files. Any attempt to launch these files will cause the virus to display a message on the screen which says "You are infected with Oslo the first iPodLinux Virus".
Podloso is a typical proof of concept virus, which is created in order to demonstrate that it is possible to infect a specific platform. It does not have a malicious payload and is unable to spread on its own: a user has to save the virus to the iPod for the device to become infected.
About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab delivers the worlds most immediate protection against IT security threats, including viruses, spyware, crimeware, hackers, phishing, and spam. Kaspersky Lab products provide superior detection rates and the industrys fastest outbreak response time for home users, SMBs, large enterprises and the mobile computing environment.
Kaspersky® technology is also used worldwide inside the products and services of the industrys leading IT security solution providers. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com. For the latest on antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and other IT security issues and trends, visit www.viruslist.com.
"It should be stressed that in order for the virus to function, Linux has to be installed on the iPod."
ROTFLMAO! Linux on an iPod... so you can get your "iPod virus" to sorta work...
You won’t believe this one... PING!
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
This should put the final nail in the coffin of the “Security by Obscurity” claims... a virus that has been written to infect all five of the iPods in the world with LINUX installed...
I’m uninstalling Linux from all my iPods immediately.
LOL...some unemployable geek sits around and tries to infect the iPod, but one would have to install Linux first. This sounds like an April Fool’s article that some ignorant reporter fell for.
It should be stressed that in order for the virus to function, Linux has to be installed on the iPod.
So, is there a version of Linux for my Ipod Shuffle? Or is that still Secure?
I read a book a few years ago on installing Linux on a 1st Generation Ipod... Really... The keyboard was problematic but it booted...
I think the story is...
You can run freaking Linux on an Ipod!
No doubt.
I didn't even know you could install Linux on an iPod. Looks like I may have to get one now.
This rates right up there with the Tom Foley quote of years ago.”Because there is no proof that Geo HW Bush flew to Iran in a SR71 to free the hostages congress needs to hold hearings...” (paraphrased of course)
That was pretty much my first thought. Looks like I might have to check out deals on used iPods on Ebay.
BTW, how much you want to bet someone isn't going to read the link, and start claiming there really is an "iPod bullet virus"?
Not only in that you have to take the step of putting Linux on your iPod, but you also have to purposely install the virus. It sounds that by these criteria, me writing a "Hello World" and loading it on my iPod is a virus.
No kidding. People will write a virus for *anything* just to see if it can be done, or to be the first.
But Linux on iPod is a bit more popular than that. I’d say there have to be at least a few hundred around, all owned by extreme Linux geeks.
Nope, they need to drum-up business. Who do you think has come out with most of the OS X virus proofs of concept? There's little practical need for their products in the Mac world, so they have to create a need.
But I thought Linux and iPod would be the double shield against viruses. I mean, viruses don’t work on Linux or on Apple products, right?
“...in a related story, Kaspersky Lab has developed a commercial Linux which runs on the iPod, as well as anti-virus software for Kaspersky iLinux...”
But anyway, a possibly useful link to a Linux which runs on what is, pound for pound, dollar for dollar, perhaps the most expensive Linux box in history...
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