Apple Sells Infected iPods, Blames Microsoft
Apple posted a notice that 1% of video iPods shipped after September 12 of this year went out with a little present: the RavMonE.exe worm, which spreads via removable media. Apparently, one of the computers at the contract manufacturer was infected, and it just spread from there. Apple links to several free security products, half of them from Microsoft, that will cure users who have the infected ‘Pods.
Of course, simply serving your customers and apologizing for your screw-up isn’t enough for Apple:
As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it.
Of course, they also say:
This known virus affects only Windows computers, and up to date anti-virus software which is included with most Windows computers should detect and remove it.
So, lets see: You, an operating system and computer manufacturer, doesn’t even do the basics to protect the systems used to make your most important products, and then blame Windows? Here’s how responsibility goes:
- If the user doesn’t install an antivirus, it is the users fault.
- If the antivirus doesn’t block a known and old virus, it is the antivirus’s fault.
- If the virus is new and no solution has been discovered, it is Windows’s fault.
Apple: Is it so hard to own up? You link to antivirus products from three different companies, all of which you say you know are effective solutions. If you know how to fix it, why didn’t you take the necessary steps? I get that it was a contract manufacturer, but to blame Microsoft in your security release is just indicative of the arrogance we have been seeing far too much of these days.
Stop airing your inaccurate ads, stop sniping at Vista and Windows security. You used to let your products speak for themselves. Show some class, or at least stand behind your products, not your bitter and arrogant attitude. I get the feeling that when the tide turns (and it always does), you won’t have a lot of friends bemoaning your demise.
Well said Nathan, I first heard about this virus from Think-Secret, where they immediately tore Micrsoft in two about having horrible software that is very suseptible to viruses.. Yes, Think Secret is a mac shop, but any idiot can see that you cant blame MS for this mistake which is CLEARLY apples fault.. It’d be like Ford saying “We had a manufacturing defect on our cars, where if the car drove over too many bumps the tires would fall off. If the Dept of Transportation was better in ensuring a smooth driving surface everywhere this car may drive, this problem would have never occured.”
I see the demise of Apple! And I cant wait!!!
Comment by Andrew Calvo | October 18, 2006
Not only do they release products with bugs, they also release their blame with bugs - wake up apple…else you’re gonna be one rotten apple!
I might as well blame my picture software for the not so great computer cartoon pictures at http://sillygloop.spaces.live.com
Comment by Vijay | October 18, 2006
Small batch of new iPods ship with Windows virus…
Apple:
We recently discovered that a small number - less than 1% - of the Video iPods available for purchase after September 12, 2006, left our contract manufacturer carrying the Windows RavMonE.exe virus. This known virus affects only Windows compute…
Trackback by Things That ... Make You Go Hmm | October 18, 2006
thank you for speaking up. this is the most ridiculous statement we have heard from Apple. Its just a matter of time before, Microsoft is the new underdog that people root for.
Comment by abc | October 18, 2006
I see your point, and agree Apple could have handled this better. However, Microsoft is far from blameless in this situation as well. That Microsoft charges $50 for antivirus and a two-way firewall, rather than including this functionality directly in Windows, gives the perception that Windows itself is less than secure.
Comment by Hans | October 18, 2006
It was actually a Small number of iPods and a Trojan
http://gavilan1010.wordpress.com/2006/10/17/small-number-of-ipods-shipped-with-windows-trojan/
Comment by Gavilan1010 | October 18, 2006
Actually, Hans, Microsoft is *completely* without blame for this. The manufacturer and Apple are responsible.
Your arguments about what Microsoft could do better are fine yet have nothing to do with this issue.
Robert
Comment by Robert W. Anderson | October 18, 2006
http://blaugh.com/2006/10/18/iworm/
Comment by Chris Pirillo | October 18, 2006
so… Apple outsources the build of their crown jewels to a third world sweatshop (sorry, that’s another story) who can’t even afford to run basic, up-to-date AV (there are very good FREE solutions out there folks) and somehow it’s Microsofts fault that Apple don’t validate their supply chain, have no quality assurance on what goes out the door.
OSX also doesn’t come with a built-in AV (and it’s going to be a problem when the virus writing scum work decide that OSX is due a kicking) and it’s firewall is pretty basic so it’ll be interesting if it ever gets enough market share to be brag-worthy enough to get attacked.
Microsoft would probably dearly love to include decent AV and firewall s/w, but as the anti-trust suits and the activities of Symantec et al in the courts show… the moment they do the forces of law and order will start making them tear it all out again.
Before I get tarred with the MS fanboy brush I’ve got a PowerBook which I love, and an iPod which I think is overrated.
Comment by OffBeatMammal | October 18, 2006