Woburn (MA) - The first virus designed exclusively at infecting the iPod has been discovered.  Music fans shouldn't worry, though.  The only way to get it is to willfully download the malicious bug.

Kaspersky Lab created Podloso, a specially designed iPod virus, to show off a minor hole in the iPod platform.  "Podloso is a typical proof of concept virus, which is created in order to demonstrate that it is possible to infect a specific platform," said Kaspersky.

In order for the virus to have an effect, the user must have an iPod with Linux installed.  That accounts for less than 1% of all iPods, most of which run on Windows of Apple-based operating systems.  It also cannot spread to other iPods on its own.

Podloso finds its way to the appropriate folders on the iPod and renders all songs and videos unplayable.  Instead of playing back these files, the iPod will display an error message that reads, "You are infected with Oslo the first iPodLinux Virus."

It's not the first time that an iPod vulnerability has been exposed.  Last October, about 1% of video iPods were reported to be infected with RavMonE.exe, a Windows virus that affects all mass storage devices.  RavMonE didn't harm the iPod, but caused some computer problems when it was linked to a Windows PC.

I disagree with calling this a virus. If the progr...

Apr 07, 2007 12:07     

I disagree with calling this a virus. If the program doesn't have the ability to spread on it's own, that precludes labeling the code as a virus or worm. It appears from the description to be malicious code that must be willfully run. In this case, the label of malware would be appropriate. If the malware was disguised as a program that did something else (in an effort to get a user to run it) then it would fall into the Trojan horse category.

SomeJoe7777 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

It's not an iPod on linux, it's linux on an ipod

Apr 07, 2007 15:37     

Clearly the poster has never heard of iPod linux...
asdf report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Ipod with linux installed, wow

Apr 08, 2007 12:52     

thats new for me...
asd report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

The benefits for the programmer?

Apr 09, 2007 09:13     

Exactly what does the programmer of this virus get out of this? This is what I don't understand about viruses, they're just mean spirited. I understand the benefit of stealing someones information, but there are viruses out there that just break computers and now ipods... seriously, why?
Justin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: The benefits for the programmer?

Apr 09, 2007 13:03     

This helps people... Macintosh find's the problem and fixes it, only because this programmer pointed it out. Use your head.
meh report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

RE: Re: The benefits for the programmer?

Apr 09, 2007 15:36     

If by Macintosh, you mean the company responsible for the iPod, then you really mean Apple Inc. Macintosh is a line of computer hardware. In this case it would be the folks porting Linux to the iPod that would have the most immediate concern. Apple Inc. has no concern here.
meh2 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

It makes sense

Apr 10, 2007 11:54     

Why do you think more than 3/4 of all computer viruses are written for windows? because it's the OS that 95% of the domestic market uses obviously. So then, if 74% of the MP3 player market is held by apple, then it makes sense that programmers are going to start targeting it!
al report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0