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Malware Distribution Through Physical Media a Growing Concern
twitter brings us a story about the increasing number of digital devices reaching consumers with malware already installed. In this case, digital photo frames from three different Sam's Club stores were found to contain the same type of malicious code. We discussed a similar problem with iPods a while back, as well as a more recent situation with Maxtor hard drives. Quoting the Register:
"While a compromise at the manufacturer is the most likely scenario, ISC's Sachs also pointed to retailers as a possible point of infection. Returned products, which could have been infected by the consumer, are frequently put back on the shelf, if they are in sale-able condition, and attackers could take advantage of a store's poor digital hygiene, he said. 'Trying to (infect a product) all the way back at the factory — getting it through all the checks and balances — would be pretty hard to do,' he said. 'But doing it at the store, where there might be loose return policies, and (where) they put it back on the shelf - you are not going to get a million infections, but you might get a person from an investment bank next door.'"
I know what you mean. Writing a Virus for Windows is extremely complicated given its closed source proprietary nature. Windows users are very diligent on protecting their systems with scanners and always purchase software from a trusting source. Its rare you hear of a Windows infection. Those Linux users need to get with the program if they ever want to gain the desktop.
I see your informative link, and raise you a pithy comment.
Malware being shipped with hardware is hardly news. It is the common practice of computer vendors who ship their hardware with Windows pre-installed.
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