Apple Computer has issued a warning to Windows users that a small number of its popular iPod models are infected with a virus. Only video iPods are affected and company executives say the number is limited to about one percent.
So far, Apple says it has received 25 reports of the problem. It does not affect data on infected PCs.
"We recently discovered that a small number -- less than 1 percent -- of the video iPods available for purchase after September 12 left our contract manufacturer carrying the Windows RavMonE.exe virus," Apple said in a statement on its Web site.
According to company officials, the iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X are not affected. As of Tuesday, all video iPods that leave the factory are free of the virus.
Apple officials made a point of explaining that the virus originated on a Windows PC on the production line. There was a virus on one machine that was passed onto the video iPods that were exposed to it.
Apple said it learned of the virus a week ago and began working "around the clock" to find the source. The virus only affects Windows computers and Apple says an up to date anti-virus software will detect and remove it.
