Tainted Chinese products - gadgets this time
This time it's consumer electronics that is infected with malware.
From
CNN/Technology:
Electronic gadgets latest sources of computer viruses
From iPods to navigation systems, some of today's hottest gadgets are landing on store shelves with some unwanted extras from the factory: pre-installed viruses that steal passwords, open doors for hackers and make computers spew spam.
Computer users have been warned for years about virus threats from downloading Internet porn and opening suspicious e-mail attachments. Now they run the risk of picking up a digital infection just by plugging a new gizmo into their PCs.
Recent cases reviewed by The Associated Press include some of the most widely used tech devices: Apple iPods, digital picture frames sold by Target and Best Buy stores, and TomTom navigation gear.
In most cases, Chinese factories -- where many companies have turned to keep prices low -- are the source.
I know that buying a repackaged gadget can be problematic -- if the previous owner connected it to a buggy system, the gadget could have been infected. I didn't know that the problem was for brand new gadgets as well. Yikes!
Posted by DaveH at March 13, 2008 9:44 PM