Insignia Digital Photo Frames Shipped With a Virus

Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:14PM EST

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A frightening new computer virus is making the rounds, and it's coming in through an unlikely source: Those cute, innocuous, and unavoidable digital picture frames.

SFGate has the story of a nasty piece of malware that has been riding along with Insignia brand photo frames, which were largely sold in Best Buy and Sam's Club stores (and possibly other outlets) over the holidays. The virus, which I've yet to find an actual name for, is reportedly "easy to clean," according to Insignia, but at least one IT expert (who was running antivirus software) tells a horror story about it, saying it took him 12 hours to rebuild his own, infected machine. All from simply plugging the frame into his PC.

This is hardly the first time that a technology product has shipped with a virus infection. Apple made headlines in 2006 for shipping a Windows virus on numerous video iPods. In recent years, products from Creative Labs, TomTom, Seagate, and even a cheap McDonald's gadget have come from the factory bearing unwanted gifts.

But infected photo frames represent an even trickier scenario since many of the people using them are likely to be computer novices as opposed to, say, those plugging in a high-end GPS.

Worried about your own new frame? The good news is that the damage appears limited to Insignia frames and only the 10.4-inch model (model number NS-DPF-10A). If you're sitting on one of these that you haven't yet plugged in, don't connect it to your computer; call Insignia at 877-467-4289 for instructions on what to do. If you have a different model frame, you should be OK for now.

Comments on Insignia Digital Photo Frames Shipped With a Virus

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  • 46 Posted by axe_calibur on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    some piece of crap was getting fired, so he decided "let's screw over everyone that used to keep me employed by buying these products!" tool!

  • 47 Posted by stevbeast on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    Even though rackandroll03 was a little harsh with his comment, he's right. Most of these virus makers are trying to get vengeance on people because of the hard times they've gone through in public schooling. But the bigger picture is that they might not feel that was if those "high school sports teams" ,among others, wouldn't treat the "pencil necked pocket protector wearing dweebs" with so much malice. Those dweebs are people, too, and have feelings as much as anyone else. I don't condone what this "geek" may have done to sabotage this photo frame, but just think about why a person might be compelled to do something like that. And just because it's not a popular name brand doesn't mean it's more likely to be harmful, malfunctioning, or anything. Look into PCWorld's report on computer companies that send systems with parts DOA.

  • 49 Posted by aerowerks2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a feeling that some viruses are written by antivirus company lackies to keep themselves in business.

  • 50 Posted by peterd156 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Answer to question 16. GREED & PROFIT, PERSONAL GAIN !! Question 18, Great idea, But GOOD LUCK making it happen. You'll need it, I assure you. I've personally tried to have CRIMINALS prosecuted, only to be denied & threatened by the very ones who are SUPPOSED to prosecute. Problem is, far too many people just don't care. I haven't anymore to say for personal safety reasons.

  • 52 Posted by cyberdemonimp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    @ sciencetroll@verizon.net Look Here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus

  • 53 Posted by jbrawn26 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    a "cheap" brand?? I paid 200 bucks for mine

  • 54 Posted by formula5802003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    Geez I think I've got one of those, haven't tried to download any photos yet.

  • 55 Posted by giambron on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    There should be a law against them doing this!

  • 56 Posted by bmwbuchanan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yeah, I'm sure products made in the US have no problems!! Morons!!

  • 57 Posted by newtoniantiger on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    The virus comes from the download pictures of a USB or email attachment. Then transfers onto the digital picture frame and can effect the computer system. This can also be a problem by downloaded the pictures from the frame to the PC. It is possible to get a virus on the computer just by upload the pictures from the digital frame.

  • 58 Posted by jessewwhall on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    To answer some of the previous questions, these items are not manufactured in the USA because if they were, they would cost $50 instead of $10. Nobody except a bunch of illegal aliens are going to slave in a factory for $6 an hour and no medical benefits mass producing items made in the USA. You want cheap stuff? Then deal with the drawbacks.

  • 59 Posted by nitorivera on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    this country better start doing a better job monitoring things cause u dont no what they will do next kids toys hard to say.

  • 60 Posted by giambron on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    There should be a law against this and it should be inforced.

  • 61 Posted by giambron on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    There should be a law against this and it should be inforced.

  • 62 Posted by shawnnesser on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    edgy14, we dont write virus here at MS. And just for the record if you have a mac or Linux/Unix, you should get virus software for that too. After all most serious virus infects/hack attempts aren't against MS OS's. Arrghh Conspiracy theorist....

  • 63 Posted by peterd156 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Questions 32 & 33 are very valid ones indeed. And my answer to both of them would be YES, it's possible.

  • 64 Posted by jbrawn26 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8438586&type=product&id=1182558122162 the 8 inch is 150 dollars so i don't see where the "cheap" comments fit in... cheaply made maybe but certainly not purchase price like jessewwhall seems to think.

  • 65 Posted by raminator5651@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's simple...if it is not made here,do not buy it.Why would you buy anything that is produced by either communist workers(China) or forced child labor(Taiwan) and I don't care if is "such a great buy".These people are trying to invade us,and dumbass at 1600 Pennsylvania and all his buddies are preoccupied. Simply put...if it is foreign,it is probably crap.

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