"copy protection" virus destroys iTunes

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Level 1

20 points

"copy protection" virus destroys iTunes

I have picked up a virus a second time that disables most functions of iTunes in an aggressive way. It must have come in on an audio file from the internet. The virus has three functions: 1. It prevents updating your ipod with your updated itunes list, giving instead the error message: 'Attempting to copy to the disk "ipod name" failed. The disk could not be read to or written to.' Sometimes the message comes in the form: 'Attempting to copy to disk "ipod name" failed. An unknown error occured (-36). It blocks all updates to the ipod, including podcasts, but you can still download podcasts to iTunes. 2) It prevents copying a song folder to a song list on itunes, blocking your computer drive copy function for songs only and gives the message: 'Can not copy folders. Some data can not be read or written.' Finally, 3) it prevents you from copying songs from a song CD to your itunes library. In this case you don't notice the problem until you do playback of those new songs. You discover that it skips and jumps from track to track never completing any music. Your other songs already in iTunes are not affected. I have not tested if it destroys songs attempting to be downloaded from the iTunes store. I got rid of the virus once before by reinstalling iTunes and putting my ipod back to factory settings and running Virex, which found a virus. The second time I got infected it was not sufficient to only reinstall itunes. I still have the virus but I am not going to redo my ipod since I have over 4000 songs on it and it takes a day to do it. I can still play itunes and play my ipod as is. I just can't update it anymore or add songs or podcasts. Has anyone discovered this virus? I hope Apple comes up with a fix so we can clean out viruses. I suspect a recording studio may have hired someone to write this virus to start making iTunes unusable.

imac G4 Mac OS X (10.4) using a maxtor supplemental hard drive

imac G4 Mac OS X (10.4) using a maxtor supplemental hard drive

Posted on Jun 15, 2006 8:03 PM

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Answer 1

scapesuiter

Level 7

27,670 points

Jun 15, 2006 10:19 PM in response to robphoton

Since I only use the iTunes Music Store to download music in iTunes, I haven't experienced any problem like that. I don't think you can expect Apple to be responsible for your downloading music from some other source.

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Answer 2

robphoton Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 16, 2006 4:55 AM in response to scapesuiter

I think it is a good idea to only use iTunes music store or your purchased CDs as your music source, however, I think it is only a matter of time that this virus (or one like it) will affect people who don't download. I do not download music from the internet anymore, but you may still get the virus in other ways. I will be getting a mac book pro soon and I am debating whether I should move my songs to the new mac or not. Since I was able to clean the virus out before without deleting any songs, this suggests that the virus does not stay in the songs but somehow gets into iTunes. This is a very sophisticated virus, so whoever wrote it knows what he/she is doing. That is why I worry is may have been created professionally by an enemy of iTunes.

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Answer 3

Jun 16, 2006 5:51 AM in response to robphoton

This entire post is complete nonsense.
Stop spreading FUD in these forums.

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Answer 4

Jun 16, 2006 8:21 AM in response to robphoton

Rick is right. Your post is complete rubbish and FUD.

You don't have a virus; there aren't any for Mac OS X. What you have a corrupted directory structure on your iPod, which can be repaired with Disk Utility; You've also probably got some corrupted permissions in your Home directory which can also be fixed using Disk Utility.

Or, you've gotten a scratched CD that is why the songs skip. What you do not have is a virus.

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Answer 5

eljorita

Level 1

0 points

Jun 16, 2006 1:49 PM in response to robphoton

i'm having the same problem on my G4 tower (digital audio). i've followed every suggestion i've seen in the discussions, and the problem is just getting worse. i've zapped the P Ram, repaired permissions, etc. all my songs are skipping now, at random intervals. if it's not a virus, what is it? any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.

john

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Answer 6

Jun 16, 2006 3:06 PM in response to eljorita

John, the problems you are experiencing are assuredly not being caused by a "virus." There are no viruses for Mac OS X.

An couple of explanations come to mind:
1. Your HDD is getting full and disk swapping is causing the stuttering. You can do a Get Info on your HDD and see how much available space is left to determine if this is the case.

2. You've got too many applications running for your RAM to handle. You can determine how much RAM you have by pulling down the Apple menu and selecting "About this Mac..." If you have less than 1 GB you should seriously consider upgrading to at least that amount.

I'm sure other people can come up with some other possible explanations and possible solutions for your problems.

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Answer 7

eljorita

Level 1

0 points

Jun 16, 2006 7:32 PM in response to Michael Allbritton

i believe you, but i've got 1.12 GB and my HD has plenty of free space. and i never had this problem before, when i had the same setup and same amount of space. something else is going on here. anybody figure anything out yet? has apple responded to this problem anywhere?

thanks

john

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Answer 8

Tom Graves

Level 7

20,627 points

Jun 17, 2006 12:28 AM in response to eljorita

If Apple determines there is a problem, its response will most likely appear with the announcement of of an update and, as users, none of us are privey to what is going on behind the scenes.

What happens if you play iTunes in a new, clean user account? This might help determine if the problem is system-wide or if it is something having to do with your user account. To create a new account, open System Preferences and click on Accounts. You may have to click on the padlock and give your admin name and password to create an account. Click on the plus sign in the lower right corner to create the new account. I see no reason to give it a password. You can delete this account later using using the minus key, although I have kept my second account to use for testing (the user folder only takes up 32 kb).

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Answer 9

robphoton Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 19, 2006 9:58 AM in response to robphoton

Hello. There is definitely something going on here. I have almost never had a virus problem, however, this thing is real, and it is quite peculiar that it affects the functions most important for copying. The fact that it affects more than one form of copying makes it seem quite sophisticated. My computer is nearly 4 years old and does not have but 10.4 on it. Its G4 800Mhz processor sometimes gets stuck with a blue screen during boot if I go to more recent versions of 10.4, so it is possible that I do not have some of the more recent Apple fixes or security updates that cover this problem. It is stable with 10.4, so I keep it there. Believe me, I am a big supporter of Apple. I just bought the 17" macbook pro, so now I am debating if I should move my music library there and take a chance. Since my music library is actually not on the root drive of my old computer but on a second add-on drive, I may just connect that add on drive to my new computer and point itunes to it and hold my breath. If I do this I will report back.

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Answer 10

Jun 19, 2006 1:36 PM in response to robphoton

robphoton, no one disputes that you are having a problem. But until you get over this "I've got a virus" mindset we are not going to be able to help you. Your Mac does not have a virus.

Now, let's focus on your problem. Can you tell us what trouble shooting steps you have taken? For example, in your original post you mention that songs ripped from a particular CD skip when imported. Have you tried cleaning the disc with a soft, lint-free cloth? Have you tried importing the disc to iTunes using another user account?

If you work with us, we can help you much more effectively.

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Answer 11

robphoton Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 19, 2006 5:23 PM in response to Michael Allbritton

Thanks. There is no problem with the source disk. I tried more than one disk and the problem remains. The disk plays fine, it will just not copy properly into iTunes. These are disks bought prior to 2000 so there is no new code in them. There is also no hardware probem because I was able to remove the problem before. The problem is software. It only affects copying. This includes copying to ipod, copying from disks, and copying to playlists from these new mp3 files. These new mp3 files caused the problem. The copying problem only applies to mp3 files. It does not apply to any other files. It also does not apply to previously vetted mp3 files already in itunes in all respects except copying to ipod. In this case the podcasts also can not copy to ipod. If I repeat my steps before I may be able to get rid of the problem, but I am not keen on reloading my ipod again when my playlist is so long. My original post describes me getting a problem as a result of downloading a foreign mp3 file. This is where it starts. Prior to this I have never had a problem and I have used iTunes since inception.

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Answer 12

Jun 19, 2006 8:30 PM in response to robphoton

robphoton--

According to the MacErrors.h header file, error -36 is an I/O error:

<pre class="command">ioErr = -36, /*I/O error (bummers)*/</pre>But that much you've already figured out. The question in your case is: why do you have this error? Some general causes are that there isn't enough space on a disk and the program can't allocate enough space. Or there is a problem with permissions on a disk. Or, there's physical damage to the disk at the place where the program is trying to read or write.

In your Utilities folder is an application called "Console". Open it and open up a window for the system log and one for the console log. Now, open iTunes and repeat the steps to get your error -36. Look at the console and system logs and see if any errors are reported there. If there are any, post them here.

charlie

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Answer 13

robphoton Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 20, 2006 1:04 PM in response to Charles Minow

I will try Charlie's and Tom's suggestions in the days ahead. They are good ideas. This problem has really got me curious.

Bye the way, is it REALLY true there is no such thing as a mac virus? I accept the fact that PCs are often loaded with them, but saying there is zero is a pretty strong statement. Am I wasting my time by periodically running Virex for Mac, and what is Virex putting in its virus profile updates that I use when I scan? Isn't Virex supposidly looking for something?

Regards,

Bob

imac G4 Mac OS X (10.4) using a maxtor supplemental hard drive

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Answer 14

Tom Graves

Level 7

20,627 points

Jun 20, 2006 1:12 PM in response to robphoton

There have been zero viruses discovered for OS X. There have been a couple of trojans and a few more proof-of-concept trojans, but these required input from someone sitting at the keyboard to work or be installed and the exploits were covered by Security updates to OS X.

You can spread viruses to other Windows users via email. You might want to read Macs And Viruses. Fact vs. FUD Part I and Part II.

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Answer 15

Jun 20, 2006 1:15 PM in response to robphoton

Bye the way, is it REALLY true there is no such thing as a mac virus?
Yes, it's REALLY true. There are currently no viruses which can infect Mac OS X.

Am I wasting my time by periodically running Virex for Mac
In my opinion, yes.

what is Virex putting in its virus profile updates that I use when I scan? Isn't Virex supposidly looking for something?
It's looking for Windows-based viruses. They can reside on your computer, and you can pass them to Windows users. They cannot harm your Mac OS X system.

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