'Just When You Thought it was Safe to Plug in Your iPod...'

This just isn't a good month for China, when it comes to public relations.

Remember that special lead paint used by Chinese toy manufacturers? Well, the Middle Kingdom has come up with a digital equivalent: pre-infected consumer electronics.

"Electronic gadgets latest sources of computer viruses" CNN (March 13, 2008)

You've probably heard this already, but there's a new wrinkle to viruses: Electronic gizmos with viruses already loaded. All you have to do is plug them into your computer.

Excerpt:

"From iPods to navigation systems, some of today's hottest gadgets are landing on store shelves with some unwanted extras from the factory: pre-installed viruses that steal passwords, open doors for hackers and make computers spew spam.

"Computer users have been warned for years about virus threats from downloading Internet porn and opening suspicious e-mail attachments. Now they run the risk of picking up a digital infection just by plugging a new gizmo into their PCs.

"Recent cases reviewed by The Associated Press include some of the most widely used tech devices: Apple iPods, digital picture frames sold by Target and Best Buy stores, and TomTom navigation gear.

"In most cases, Chinese factories -- where many companies have turned to keep prices low -- are the source."

There's quiet a bit more, including a little about how to protect your computer.

Another article, "China denies U.S. computer hacking agenda" CNN (March 4, 2008). This one is about China's government saying that the United States should stop thinking that they're trying to hack into American military computers.