Finger Pointing Over iPod Windows Virus 293
rs232 writes sent us some choice quotes in the finger pointing over the iPod's that recently shipped with a virus on them. "It's not a matter of which platform the virus originated [on]. The fact that it's found on the portable player means that there's an issue with how the quality checks, specifically the content check, was done," Poon wrote in a blog entry. and "Steve, if you need someone to advise on how to improve your quality checks, feel free to contact me 8)."
Re:OK, I have to ask (Score:5, Informative)
Re:OK, I have to ask (Score:4, Informative)
I can think of two basic ways this could happen. First, it could be sabotage. Some guy might be infecting these things with a virus for some reason. It doesn't seem like an effective way to spread viruses, though. But you know, maybe there's just some guy at the iPod factory who is a dick and thinks it's funny to put viruses on them.
The other way I can imagine this could easily happen to a small number of iPods is if there's a QA process that involves hooking a random sample of iPods to Windows machines, and some worker was using one of these machines had managed to get it infected with a virus. It could even come from a machine that is supposed to scan for viruses, if the virus scanner was compromised or out-of-date.
If you RTFA (which is short), it indicates which of the two Apple believes happened.
Re:Who cares? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:What's so bad about that quote? (Score:4, Informative)
If the user is bright enough not to click OK he's also bright enough to install an anti-virus tool.
EXACTLY! (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Can Someone Tell Me (Score:5, Informative)
Since the device appears like a hard-drive to Windows, Windows will run any code set to auto-execute as soon as the disk is plugged in. The ipod just acts as a carrier in this instance.
It appears that one of the QA machines used to test windows compatibility had the virus on it, so when the randomly-sampled fully-finished ipod was plugged in for a QA compatibility test, the virus was uploaded onto the ipod's hard disk by Windows, and just sat there waiting until it was plugged into another Windows PC. None of this involves any activity by the ipod itself, it's all being done by Windows.
Not that I think Apple's comment was all-that-great, and they'll have to deal with the fall-out, but I could see Apple being just a tad frustrated about this...
Simon.
Re:Who cares? (Score:2, Informative)
Full disclosure and an apology is an appropriate response to a mistake like this. So is holding the contractor responsible. In this case, Apple would be foolish not to demand that the contractor stop using windows machines to test the ipods.
You have to keep in mind that the vulnerability that allows the ipods to infect user's pcs is the same flaw that infected the contractor's pcs in the first place. Apple is right to be upset that their contractors were using a competitor's inferior product.
Re:What's so bad about that quote? (Score:5, Informative)
I helped one of my friends who was very scared of computer a couple years back. I setup a limited access account in OS X and told them to try to mess it up, change the background, mess with all the preferences and just click on things and see what happens. I came back a week later and all the settings were changed. She didn't necessarily like all the settings, but when I actually setup her permanent account, she was much less fearful of changing settings. At this point, I told her to think twice about typing in a password when it asks. She has done very well and I haven't had to help her out with a computer at all in three years. She went from being scared of changing anything to pretty independent and safe at the same time.
So, my point is that there are a lot of people that do actually pay attention to these dialog boxes. I'd much rather have a few dialog/password boxes that are actually relevent than none. At least there is a chance that the person will think about it. Assuming people will click through the dialog without thinking is a rather negative view of users.
Re:What's so bad about that quote? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:ill-advised comment, but not Apple's fault (Score:1, Informative)
You do realize that the virus was added during that verification process right?
Yeah, not going to find that in print. Why? The selection and distribution of defective batteries is a result of Dell's poor supply chain management (not really that poor), not Sony's. Sure Sony's batteries sucked, and they blow up, but you do not see Dell making snide remarks at Sony for providing the faulty battery.
Why shouldn't dell have been snide about sony? If I contract with you to make batteries for me, I expect you to make batteries to my specifications. Why should I have to hold your hand the whole way to ensure what you are contracted to do gets done? The batteries were sony's fault full stop and blaming Apple, Dell or IBM is blaming the wrong person
Re:What's so bad about that quote? (Score:2, Informative)
As to the quote, maybe the second half should have been included. The part that says "and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it." I personally think the comment is valid. Appple should have caught it, and Windows shouldn't be so security challenged.
Re:Um, no (Score:3, Informative)