It is still possible for iPods to trasmit viruses

[mediasponge]

I recently bought a used iPod Video 5G 60GB unit. To my surprise, when it booted up connected to a PC, McAfee popped up a window saying it had trapped a virus and put it in quarantine! In 2006, Apple mistakenly shipped an undeclared number of iPod Video units with viruses from the factory, but this one was different. There are still virus/trojan/malware programs in the wild that can infect PCs through USB storage devices. The one I caught was Conficker.B. If your iPod is only used with MACs, no problem, but most iPod users are on Windows, hence the problem. The best advice is to have up-to-date anti-virus software, scan any iPod you connect to the PC, and use the Restore function to wipe the iPod clean, if needed.

How does it infect a PC through the iPod, you ask? Using an "autorun.inf" file in the root of the drive. If the iPod is put into disk mode on an infected computer, the worm spreads from the PC to the iPod. On the next PC the iPod gets connected to, the autorun.inf is run, executing the hidden package and uploading the malware onto the PC. For more info, Google "ipod virus" and/or "ipod virus autorun.inf".

Please don't start a Windows vs. Mac debate over this. I just want to make people aware that this is still possible. iPods are such promiscuous little things. :=)

[Mikey]

This is very true. If you think about it, your iPod can also double as a external hard drive, and as such, can store more than just the music and movies of your life. I would definately say that if you do plan on allowing someone else to plug your iPod, make sure you trust them or at least ensure your virus definitions are being kept up to date.