Virus scan your Nuvi ?
Tue, 09/01/2009 - 3:44pm
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 15 years
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Hi all,
Since the Nuvi GPS when connected to your computer, it became like another drive. You can write into it and delete from it. That meant it can possibly be infected by virus.
Do you concern about your Nuvi get infected by virus when it is connected to your computer and do you scan your Nuvi for virus once in a while?
Thanks
Not likely
The Nuvi has a closed proprietary OS, so it is unlikely that a virus could infect and damage the Nuvi software. However as a storage device, it could be used as a vessel to transport a virus to a computer, much in the same way that a virus can be transmitted on a flash drive or CD. That said, it is not something I worry about, as the protection mechanisms I have on my computer would protect it in the unlikely event the Garmin contained an infected file.
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon
Thank you for the
Thank you for the explaination
Not worried...
As a vector, you'd have to plug it into a machine that's been nailed, so the nastyware could create a set of files recognized as auto-run on a Windows system.
Which won't do much when connected to my Mac...
And I'm careful about who my Nuvi plays with!
Nuvi 2460, 680, DATUM Tymserve 2100, Trimble Thunderbolt, Ham radio, Macintosh, Linux, Windows
Interesting
Hadn't really thought of this before - interesting concept. But, yea, unlikely to be an issue unless someone goes after GPS's specifically
Malware
This goes back to the days of floppies when an infection would hop onto a diskette and then get circulated in the office wreaking havoc in its wake. The current version of this is someone plugs their USB thumb drive into a PC that is infected and the bad stuff gets unknowingly transferred to the thumb drive. If the thumb drive is then plugged into another machine, particulary one that has Autorun turned on, the bad stuff can spread to it.
Malware (viruses, trojans, spyware, etc.) have so far targeted only Windows machines (biggest target - greatest payback) so Macs and other OSes have been virtually free of these pests.
The GPSr is not a likely target for a virus, but since it functions as a thumb drive it could act as a carrier. However, unless your GPSr is promiscuous, it shouldn't be a problem as it typically hooks up only to the computer you use to install POI files and updates.
Your 1st line of defense in the Windows environment is to avoid questionable sites, refrain from file swapping and download SW only from reputable sources. Your 2nd line of defense is keeping current with the Microsoft security patches that come out at least once a month and to run an antivirus program that updates itself frequently.
"There's no substitute for local knowledge" nüvi 750, nüvi 3597
Virus
The Garmin wouldn't have to be adversely affected. The Nuvi internal memory or add-on memory card could merely be a conduit for carrying an infection to a PC, when connected to it. Remember, connecting USB devices or CD's or DVD's can infect PC systems.
It's possible IMO, but that doesn't mean someone has been working on that aspect of spreading viruses quite yet.
Fred
Virus
If you have a good virus detector and keep your computer scanned several times a day I see no reason to scan Nuvi.
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)
Virus
If you have a good virus detector and keep your computer scanned several times a day I see no reason to scan Nuvi.
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)
Not Likely, so I concur
The Nuvi has a closed proprietary OS, so it is unlikely that a virus could infect and damage the Nuvi software. However as a storage device, it could be used as a vessel to transport a virus to a computer, much in the same way that a virus can be transmitted on a flash drive or CD. That said, it is not something I worry about, as the protection mechanisms I have on my computer would protect it in the unlikely event the Garmin contained an infected file.
Garmins have a totally closed architecture, so as far as the garmin device being affected by a infection, would be near to zero.
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.
Today's malwares are all
Today's malwares are all financially motivated. They turn a machine into spam zombie, botnet node, steal passwords/credit card/bank accounts etc. Why do Windows get hit more often than other system? That's because their market share is the largest in the world.
I don't see the possibility of using GPS devices for financial gain. Viruses that damage GPS device is either rare or non existent.
We'll worry about virus infection when the bad guys figure out how to turn GPS devices into a money making device.
Virus scan your Nuvi ?
No need to scan your Nuvi.
Nuvi 200, GPS MAP60CSx
Very interesting thought.
Very interesting thought.
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21626 - red light cameras do not work
Virus
Hi all,
Since the Nuvi GPS when connected to your computer, it became like another drive. You can write into it and delete from it. That meant it can possibly be infected by virus.
Do you concern about your Nuvi get infected by virus when it is connected to your computer and do you scan your Nuvi for virus once in a while?
Thanks
I agree,,,,Last year I had an issue with a virus/trojan which attacked every "root" drive on my PC including the Garmin drive. It overwrote and masqueraded as "autorun.inf" which created havoc.
nuvi' 2450
I'm not worried, but this is
I'm not worried, but this is something to keep an eye on!
Mav293 wrote: Hi all, Since
Hi all,
Since the Nuvi GPS when connected to your computer, it became like another drive. You can write into it and delete from it. That meant it can possibly be infected by virus.
Do you concern about your Nuvi get infected by virus when it is connected to your computer and do you scan your Nuvi for virus once in a while?
Thanks
Absolutely. Anything that is a plug and play device can serve as a transmission vector for a computer virus. (http://www.securityfocus.com/news/11499)
blah
The Nuvi has a closed proprietary OS, so it is unlikely that a virus could infect and damage the Nuvi software. However as a storage device, it could be used as a vessel to transport a virus to a computer, much in the same way that a virus can be transmitted on a flash drive or CD. That said, it is not something I worry about, as the protection mechanisms I have on my computer would protect it in the unlikely event the Garmin contained an infected file.
Similar things have happened with other devices - most notably digital photo frames - see
http://redtape.msnbc.com/2008/01/digital-picture.html
That being said, lets not forget the fact Windows is a closed, proprietary OS, and is very capable of being infected. So I dont see why a GPS couldn't get infected, although i don't see the USE of a GPS targeted virus, except maybe for sabotage - and that would be kind of useless for the GPS systems most users here have - might be useful for high end aircraft systems like Bendix King, or military gps systems, and the like.
Secunia, a security services
Secunia, a security services company, offers vulnerability scanning to assess the security of third party software.
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/
Their personal security inspector advised the update of the Garmin Communicator Plugin ActiveX Control from version 2.7.1.0 to 2.8.1.
See the change log at Garmin:
http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3607
Interesting Thread
Good discussion here. I have not scanned my nuvi but am considering it.
As has been mentioned...
Garmin uses a proprietary OS. There is no known malware which targets a Garmin GPS. Consequently, there is no scanner available to search for that non-existant malware.
All you need to do
is disable autorun, the convenient method that has been targeted by malware and virus alike.
Jeff
AutoRun?
AutoRun?
As a storage device...
Garmin uses a proprietary OS. There is no known malware which targets a Garmin GPS. Consequently, there is no scanner available to search for that non-existant malware.
is it possible for a virus/malware to inhabit the GPS and be transmitted to connected PCs?
Devices shipped with Trojan
Devices shipped with Trojan already on-board.
http://news.techworld.com/security/7881/tomtom-pre-infected-...
OLD OLD News
Devices shipped with Trojan already on-board.
http://news.techworld.com/security/7881/tomtom-pre-infected-with-virus/
This was originally reported in January 2007 about a virus/trojan that had been identified in Junw 2006. The only recurrence has been the recirculating of this OLD OLD report.
ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet
blah
Devices shipped with Trojan already on-board.
http://news.techworld.com/security/7881/tomtom-pre-infected-with-virus/
This was originally reported in January 2007 about a virus/trojan that had been identified in Junw 2006. The only recurrence has been the recirculating of this OLD OLD report.
Well, the only KNOWN reccurance. admittedly, there's only the one know occurrence of a device shipping with a virus, it IS proof that devices with proprietary OSs CAN be used to distribute windows viruses.
blah i hate subjects
Devices shipped with Trojan already on-board.
http://news.techworld.com/security/7881/tomtom-pre-infected-with-virus/
This was originally reported in January 2007 about a virus/trojan that had been identified in Junw 2006. The only recurrence has been the recirculating of this OLD OLD report.
I just realized, that article Seneca metioned is about a TomTom device. That's the SECOND report of a device shipping with a virus, or the 1st of 2. A best buy digital photo frame also shipped with a virus a year or 2 back.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/24/best-buy-confirms-it-sold...
That's brings the count of the ones I know of to TWO.