I hate anti-virus software, mainly because it slows my computer down to a crawl and keeps on badgering me with pesky pop-ups. But it certainly has its place, especially if you like to download a lot of stuff and occasionally visit dodgy websites (get your mind out of the gutter, I’m talking about underground file sharing sites!).

Luckily I’ve recently moved to Mac OS 10.5 as my main computing environment, so I don’t have to worry about viruses, key loggers and all that jazz. But if you’re a Windows user and have the same aversion as I do to anti-virus software, you should definitely give this SMH story a read: Some viruses come re-installed in everyday gadgets.

The article talks about a disturbing phenomenon of viruses that are being preloaded onto gadgets before they leave the factory floor, some accidentally, some maliciously.

Thousands of people whose antivirus software isn’t up to date may have been infected by new products without even knowing it, experts warn. And even protective software may not be enough.

In one case, digital frames sold at Sam’s Club contained a previously unknown bug that not only steals online gaming passwords but disables antivirus software, according to security researchers at Computer Associates.

According to the article, everything from iPods and hard drives to digital photo frames and portable navigation systems could be the target of a malicious password-stealing virus, so word to the wise: keep your anti-virus software up-to-date and fully loaded!

No related posts.