Virus strikes iPods
2006-10-19 07:05
San Francisco - Apple Computer warned on Wednesday that a Windows computer virus had wormed its way into some video iPods before they hit store shelves.
Apple said a computer virus branded RavMonE.exe had infected Microsoft software installed in less than one percent of the video iPod MP3 players made available for sale after September 12.
"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," Apple said.
Macintosh computers along with iPod nano and shuffle MP3 players were immune to the virus, which exploits Windows operating systems, according to Apple.
Commonly available anti-virus programs should vanquish the virus.
As of Wednesday, Apple reported receiving fewer than 25 reports of problems with infections.
"I am incredibly shocked and a bit angry that Apple would let this slip through," a buyer of an infected iPod wrote in an online chat forum.
"I thought of calling them, but I fixed it on my own already. So the answer to 'Do you want a new iPod sir?' would be 'No thanks'."
Measures were taken to insure that video iPods were virus-free before being shipped to stores, according to Apple, which is based in Cupertino, California.
Apple advised video iPod owners to conduct full virus scans of their Windows-based computer systems and interacting devices such as digital cameras.