Less than 1 percent of video iPods shipped after Sept. 12 are infected with a virus that affects Microsoft computers if connected to them, according to a statement on Apple's support Web site.
The virus, RavMonE.exe, was detected after several video iPod users reported having problems with their computers after hooking up their iPods.
Apple apologized for the occurrence in the statement released on Tuesday.
Apple reported they had "seen less than 25 reports of the problem" and that they are now shipping all video iPods virus free.
"As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it," said the statement on the
Apple support Web site.
The virus is known to slow down an infected computer's response time considerably or even completely and allow others to access the infected computer.
The virus is also known as Win32.Rjump.a and Troj/Bdoor-DIJ. It is described as a backdoor Trojan, which according to security firm sophos.com, is "a program that allows other computer users to gain access to your computer across the Internet."
Apple also said that the iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X are not affected.
Apple recommends all mass storage devices that have recently been attached to a Windows computer should be scanned for the virus, for example external hard drives, digital cameras and USB flash drives.
The anti-virus program that comes with Windows or any other anti-virus program should be able to detect the virus and remove it.
If an anti-virus program is not available, Apple's support Web site has four links to trial programs that can be downloaded for free.
Sam Franklin, freshman undecided major, said he got his iPod about a week before the video iPods came out so he isn't really affected by the possibility of a virus, but when it comes to which is better by comparison, he is an Apple fan all the way.
"I've grown up with Apple," said Franklin. "It looks better, I know it better, so I like it better."
Microsoft's support Web site does not have anything about the virus on it, but does have a Help and Support article titled "A computer that is running Windows XP cannot detect a USB thumb drive, an Apple iPod or an external hard disk drive."
The article explains the symptoms, the cause and the resolution. The cause comes from "if there are corrupt or incorrect keys in the registry."
Microsoft's resolution tells the consumer to modify the registry using the registry editor.
It lists the steps to resolve the problem, but before that Microsoft warns users about modifying it incorrectly because it may cause serious problems that Microsoft cannot guarantee can be resolved.
"Modify the registry at your own risk," said the warning in the Microsoft support article.
