Vicious Bugs Lurk in Digital Photo Frames

Cute photos can be latest back-door way to destroy files

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 27, 2008 12:41 PM CST

(Newser) – Digital photo frames of the kids on shelves across America are cute and trendy—but they can hide computer heartbreak, warns the San Francisco Chronicle. Destructive bugs can lurk in the software and wipe out entire files as photos are being downloaded. "It was the nastiest virus I've ever encountered," said one man of a Christmas present that attacked his computer.

It's the latest way for hackers to wreak havoc as malware—malicious software—is reaching beyond computers into devices that plug into them, such as photo frames and MP3 players. Manufacturers and retailers are scrambling to protect the devices, but as programs for photo frames become more sophisticated, they can also increase their infection power, warn security experts.

Cute, but could be dangerous. (Associated Press)

Malicious software may be hidden in digital photo frames. (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Millions of Printers in Danger of Being Hacked

Researchers call it a major vulnerability: MSNBC

(NEWSER) - Even if your computer is as secure as you can make it, you may still be offering hackers entry to your network—through your printer. Columbia University researchers warn that millions of printers belonging to consumers, businesses, and government agencies could be vulnerable to attack. Among other dangers, hackers may be able to give printers remote instructions that would eventually cause them to catch fire, use hijacked printers to retrieve Social Security numbers or other sensitive information, or even gain access to an entire network, MSNBC reports in an extensive look at the dangers. More»

'Son of Stuxnet' Worm Found in Europe

Duqu designed to gather information on industrial systems, Symantec says

(NEWSER) - A new computer virus found in Europe and the Middle East bears a strong resemblance to the Stuxnet worm that attacked Iran's nuclear facilities, security experts say, but the Duqu malware's target is still unclear. Security firm Symantec says Duqu appears to be designed to gather information on industrial control systems, while McAfee believes the malware was designed to attack Certificate Authorities, which issue the digital certificates that validate Internet sites, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. More»

Hackers Fill Sesame Street With Porn

YouTube channel briefly turns XXX

(NEWSER) - Sesame Street briefly turned into Sex-ame Street yesterday, when hackers apparently took hold of the children’s show’s YouTube channel and filled it with porn. The page was taken offline in the afternoon, CNN reports, but it appears to be back up today . The nonprofit Sesame Workshop apologized yesterday, noting that, "We always strive to provide age-appropriate content for our viewers and hope to resolve this problem quickly." The XXX material was available for at least 20 minutes, The Daily What notes. Gawker and Reddit have NSFW screenshots. More»

FBI Busts Low-Tech Celebrity Hacker

He guessed passwords, leaked photos of Scarlett Johansson, others: FBI

(NEWSER) - The FBI has arrested a suspect accused of hacking the emails of Scarlett Johansson and other celebrities and leaking personal—sometimes nude—photos, reports the Los Angeles Times . The feds say Christopher Chaney, 35, didn't have a sophisticated tech scheme. Rather, he pored over public info available in magazines, on Facebook, etc., and used it to guess passwords. Other celebrities reportedly victimized include Mila Kunis, Vanessa Hudgens, and Christina Aguilera. More»

US Drones Infected With Virus

Someone is logging the keystrokes of drone operators

(NEWSER) - America’s robot assassins have all been infected with a “keylogger” virus that tracks every move their pilots make, sources tell Wired . The military isn’t sure how the computers at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada—the nerve center that controls most drone missions—got infected, or who they might be sending their information to, if anyone. They do know that it has hit both classified and unclassified computers, and resisted all attempts at removal. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Vicious Bugs Lurk in Digital Photo Frames

Cute photos can be latest back-door way to destroy files

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

hacker • digital downloads • computer virus • hackers • malware • digital photo frames

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Millions of Printers in Danger of Being Hacked

Researchers call it a major vulnerability: MSNBC

'Son of Stuxnet' Worm Found in Europe

Duqu designed to gather information on industrial systems, Symantec says

Hackers Fill Sesame Street With Porn

YouTube channel briefly turns XXX

FBI Busts Low-Tech Celebrity Hacker

He guessed passwords, leaked photos of Scarlett Johansson, others: FBI

US Drones Infected With Virus

Someone is logging the keystrokes of drone operators

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Vicious Bugs Lurk in Digital Photo Frames

Cute photos can be latest back-door way to destroy files

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

hacker • digital downloads • computer virus • hackers • malware • digital photo frames

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Millions of Printers in Danger of Being Hacked

Researchers call it a major vulnerability: MSNBC

'Son of Stuxnet' Worm Found in Europe

Duqu designed to gather information on industrial systems, Symantec says

Hackers Fill Sesame Street With Porn

YouTube channel briefly turns XXX

FBI Busts Low-Tech Celebrity Hacker

He guessed passwords, leaked photos of Scarlett Johansson, others: FBI

US Drones Infected With Virus

Someone is logging the keystrokes of drone operators

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?