Researchers at security firm Kaspersky Lab have discovered a virus that can infect Apple’s popular portable media player, the iPod. But users do not have to scramble for protection just yet. The virus would only affect players that run Linux instead of the iPod’s native operating system.

Currently, Linux-fueled iPods are a very small minority because they require users to do the system swap. The malicious program, called Podloso, might not present a real threat, but Kaspersky noted that it does demonstrate that it is theoretically possible to create malicious programs for devices such as the iPod.

Podloso is a typical “proof-of-concept” virus, which is created in order to demonstrate that it is possible to infect a specific platform. Although some users might find it odd that security researchers would ever whip up a virus, the type of concept code developed by Kaspersky is very common, and considered a preventative measure against future threats.

Google Inc. is out to make map-making simpler, giving away tools for ordinary users to pinpoint locations, draw routes and attach photos or video to existing online maps, the company said on Wednesday.

The Web search leader, which set off an explosion of creative map-making among professional programmers after introducing Google Maps two years ago, is now offering MyMaps, tools for everyday users to create maps in a few mouse clicks.

Let your imagination run wild, spatially speaking: Pinpoint your favorite restaurant locations. Return from a world tour and plot out landmarks along the way. Take photos from a recent hike and use MyMaps to illustrate locations along the trail.

“Who better to create maps than local experts?” Jessica Lee, product manager for Google Maps, said in an interview. “MyMaps makes map-making universally accessible to anyone.”

Following developments earlier this year in which Apple CEO Steve Jobs began publicly asking record companies to drop DRM requirements for iTunes sales, Apple has struck a deal with EMI to offer DRM-free music on iTunes. In announcing the Apple deal with EMI, Jobs made clear that the iTunes move toward DRM-free downloads will expand well beyond the EMI music library.

In a move that could have a big impact on online music, Apple and EMI announced Monday that iTunes would begin selling most of EMI’s library both with and without copy protection. The Beatles’ music, which has not been available for online sales, was specifically excluded from the deal.
The announcement means that at least some non-iPod devices will now be able to play songs from iTunes.

At a joint press conference in London, Apple CEO Steve Jobs and EMI CEO Eric Nicoli said that EMI tracks would be available worldwide in May without digital-rights management (DRM) and at a higher quality (256 Kbps versus the 128 Kbps of current iTunes songs).

When video game maker Jim Greer approached Silicon Valley investors to give him nearly $1 million for his start-up. he had an irresistible pitch: “It’s video games meets YouTube.”

He named the site Kongregate.com and last June began inviting game developers and players to test it. After Christmas he opened the site to users of all stripes, who can submit and play games free of charge.

So far, the advertising-supported site at www.kongregate.com offers 300 games that are rated by players, who chat online as they play.

“Not all of them are gems, but the top 100 are,” said Greer, 36, who founded the company with his younger sister Emily, 32, and offers game makers a share of the site’s advertising revenue.

Reid Hoffman, founder of business networking site LinkedIn and a former PayPal executive, said timing played a big role in his decision to become an investor in the company.

While Patch Tuesday came and went with Microsoft deploying no critical security updates, Microsoft didn’t leave I.T. admins sitting on their hands. Redmond released a new version of the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool and several other software updates.

Apple, meanwhile, released a slew of patches for Mac OS X to plug 45 holes, including several zero-day vulnerabilities.

If Microsoft ’s monthly Patch Tuesday failed to grab I.T.’s attention, Apple Computer added some excitement to the security world on the notorious day.
Microsoft typically releases security fixes the second Tuesday of each month. For the first time in 18 months, however, Microsoft canceled its scheduled security update, despite at least five zero-day software vulnerabilities that leave a back door open to hackers.

A Microsoft spokesperson said the company needed more time to develop fixes for known flaws and is continuing to investigate potential and existing vulnerabilities.

“Creating security updates that effectively and comprehensively fix vulnerabilities is an extensive process involving a series of sequential steps,” said the spokesperson. “All updates need to meet testing standards in order to be released. This ensures that our customers can confidently install these updates in their environment.”