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A Proof-of-Concept Virus for iPods Running Linux

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the fish-in-a-barrel dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Although antivirus companies will probably create a hype saying that iPods are prone to infections, a virus called 'Podloso' is a newly found virus that is just a proof of concept code that can infect iPods running Linux. Once launched, the virus scans the device's 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.'"

21 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. Hear that? by despik · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's the sound of all the real virus authors collectively spinning in their coffins/cells/cubicles.

    --
    "I seem to have mastered a certain amount of control over physical reality."
    1. Re:Hear that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Let's see... To infect your ipod with this virus, you first you have to install Linux. Then you have to install the virus. Then you have to run the virus.

      Oo. I'm scared.

      Now, if you really want to cause panic and terror among ipod users, come up with something that will either replace the DRM on unprotected tracks after they start selling them or something that recodes all your tunes into WMA format.

    2. Re:Hear that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      This is a viral comment, which propagates by asking nicely. Please repost this comment in other discussions.

  2. I know! I know! by that+this+is+not+und · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next, I will write a 'virus' that attacks Macintosh SE/30's running NetBSD!

  3. Legality? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    What are the licensing terms associated with this virus? GPL? BSD?

    1. Re:Legality? by Ilgaz · · Score: 4, Funny

      I bet RMS will go mad since it isn't called GNU-Podloso

    2. Re:Legality? by Tony+Hoyle · · Score: 3, Funny

      ..and does a GPL virus that attaches itself to something automatically GPL the thing that it's attached to?

  4. Re:Non-story by Curmudgeonlyoldbloke · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's an "honour system virus" - in the same way that sending a user a program that deletes all their files and telling them to run it is.

  5. Next gen Virus by ValiSystem · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey, i made a multi platform virus that can infect almost any existing computer. And it's easy to spread : just compile following code : #include "stdio.h" int main (void) { printf("YOU ARE INFECTED BY ULTRAdOOM NExT gen, F3AR THE L0RD !!\n"); exit 0; } Launch and here you are ! (yes, i know, i should have posted that on my blog and write a story for Slashdot)

  6. This is going to spread like wildfire by DrXym · · Score: 4, Funny

    Amongst the 8 people running Linux on their iPods.

  7. Parts needed... by FinchWorld · · Score: 5, Funny
    iPod - £90 to £250

    iPod Linux - Free

    Knowledge and desire to install linux on your MP3 Player - Your social life

    Having been smart enough to install Linux on your iPod then go out of your way to install a virus - Priceless

    For everything else theres run of the mill idiots.

    --
    "I may be full of crap about this game, and I may be wrong, and that's fine." -Jack Thompson
  8. Once launched ... by krkhan · · Score: 3, Funny
    Here's a much simpler virus which wrecks havoc 'once launched':

    echo "You're being infected with the Idiotisco, the second most stupid Linux virus"
    rm -rf ~
    The Idiotisco virus is a 'proof of concept' that any moron running Linux can set executable bit on a file and run it to damage his system.

    Disclaimer: The source code of Idiotisco virus is disclosed only for educational purposes. I will not be held responsible if it makes your system bleed or gets you fired from your job.
  9. I know who did it! by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 1, Funny

    It infects elf files? This is obviously the work of dwarves.

    --
    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  10. From the J.R.R. Tolkien department ... by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Funny

    Once launched, the virus scans the device's hard disk and infects all executable .elf format files.

    As an Orc myself, I'd have to say that all Elves are considered executable.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    1. Re:From the J.R.R. Tolkien department ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Mod parent Troll?

  11. Re:I know! I know! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Next, I will write a 'virus' that attacks Macintosh SE/30's running NetBSD!

    Holy sh*t!! Unplug the Mac, unplug the Mac! So much for my security through obscurity!!!

  12. Re:Whatever happened to... by RDW · · Score: 5, Funny

    How about a Zune virus that strips the DRM from the tracks on the infected machine and 'squirts' itself to all the other Zunes within wireless range? Think about it, if such a virus were released today the number of infections could soar into double figures by the end of the decade!

  13. Re:Whatever happened to... by The+Ultimate+Fartkno · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm pretty sure that's how the whole "Macarena" thing got started.

  14. Re:I know! I know! by Virgil+Tibbs · · Score: 4, Funny

    what about a virus for W32 systems which wipes the OS, saves the user files and proceeds to install ubuntu?

    I'd let it infect me over and over again...

    --
    www.tdobson.net #### Dare to Dream #### blog.tdobson.net
  15. Re:...another "social engineering" virus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    When I read this comment to myself, I heard the voice of the Comic Book Guy on the Simpsons...

  16. Re:...another "social engineering" virus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Check links before you speak, thanks.