Buyer beware: Chinese gadgets loaded with viruses

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Buyer beware: Chinese gadgets loaded with viruses

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UNDATED (AP) - It may not be organized sabotage, but many of the hottest

electronic gadgets on the market are coming pre-loaded with viruses. (_see

video

report_ (http://www.onenewsnow.com/vidPlayer.aspx?videoId=2266)

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Recent cases reviewed by The Associated Press include Apple iPods, digital

picture frames sold by Target and Best Buy, and TomTom navigation gear. Some

of the viruses steal passwords that can expose a computer to hackers and

prompt them to spew spam.

 

In most cases, the sources appear to be Chinese factories where many of the

devices are being made. Security experts say the problem appears to be lax

quality control. The malicious software is apparently being loaded at the final

stage of production, when gadgets are pulled from the assembly line and

plugged into a computer for testing.

 

Consumers can protect themselves from most factory-loaded infections by

running an antivirus program and keeping it up to date.