Virus From iTunes?

Question

My sister has an iPod Nano and ever since she's got it, we've had problems with iTunes. It would either not recognize her iPod, delete all her songs, or freeze up out of nowhere. We've reinstalled it many times before but it still continues to be completely stupid. I for one hate iTunes and will never use it myself, but I have to help her out when something happens. We have a program which finds viruses called Symantec Antivirus. During the past couple of days, it has found a virus and the source of it was from iTunes. Is this the first time this has ever happened to anyone or has anyone else seen this before? I just need to know if this can be fixed or if i'm going to need to find another program that will work with her iPod or some homebrew program or something. Someone please help me so I can rid this computer of this problem.

Answer 1

I've had iTunes for years, one problem is the word "library" doesn't show up, but thats it -- have had it since about 2002, so its had time to show any weaknesses.

You're not going to like my answer but this is probably the best solution. Programs/Applications are 99% of the time NOT prone to viruses. It is the documents and files you use with a program that makes it seem 'buggy'. More than likely it is a music or movie file you use in conjunction with iTunes that is making your computer go nuts. I've had that problem before, and as soon as I got rid of the suspect file, the problem vanished.

Before you do anything, install Symantec AntiVirus to scan ANY file you download (so it is basically running in the background), then have it scan the entire system AT LEAST once a week, if not every day, to find viruses. No matter if your favorite song or movie is the culprit, delete it and download it again. Don't make it harder than it needs to be.

Other measures you can try:

1) Delete or Uninstall all your programs one by one until you find it acting up again -- that will tell you what program (or program using corrupted documented/virus-infected files) is causing the problem.

2) Erase your hard drive then re-install the OS, and before you install any other program, install AntiVirus to do the same as above (scan any downloaded file and scan the entire hard drive(s) daily or weekly); then install each program one at a time.

Like I said above, more than likely you are continuing to use a file that is corrupt or infested with a virus. Run the antivirus software and find out what it is, then DELETE the file! Just because you don't 'use' it or something, it can still cause damage to your other files, or your computer.

Answer 2

following up with the other lads answer.

putting the possibly corrupted file into the ipod will delete your firmware, your hard drive on the ipod etc. i had an 80 gig wiped out i would send the ipod in if its under warrenty and see if apple can help you or call there tech support

Answer 3

Never had a virus from iTunes.

Depending on where you got the music file from, i.e. limewire, the file you downloaded may contain a virus, it it's location is my music/itunes.

Doesn't mean the program itunes has a virus though.