A Worm...On My Digital Camera???

I went to upload some pictures yesterday and as soon as I plugged the USB cable into my camera a notice popped up on the computer screen about a WORM. It was definitely from my camera because nothing else had changed on the computer and it popped up the instant I plugged it in and turned it on. I had the internet up but only on a trusted site so that wasn't a concern.

I don't really know what a worm is, as opposed to other types of viruses, how it could have possibly gotten on my camera and how or if it can be fixed. Is it on the whole camera or just on the memory stick? This is a very new and confusing thing to happen to me!

Has anyone else ever experienced this? Does anyone know how this can be fixed? When my antivirus software came up it asked if I wanted to heal it and I said I did but I'm not entirely sure if that fixed anything. I haven't taken any new pictures to try to upload.

Comments: 16

Walker Bennett, SF Author Nov 20, 2009, 9:06am UTC

You will need to reformat the memory chip in the camera. You had to have picked it up some time when it was plugged into the computer.

Alex in Wonderland Nov 20, 2009, 9:07am UTC

How do I reformat the memory chip Walker? I know how it works on a computer but no clue for a camera!

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lena k. Nov 20, 2009, 9:10am UTC

have no idea

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Nancy Paoletti Nov 20, 2009, 10:16am UTC

I'm not sure how this happened. You have couple of options. You can reformat the memory card (this should able to be done through the menu of a digital camera) or buy a new memory card. I really need to research this situation... I've never heard of anything like this being able to happen.

Alex in Wonderland Nov 20, 2009, 11:01am UTC

Buying a new one is out of the question right now b/c of money (though we got our 256mb for only $7 even that is a stretch right now) but I will definitely look into the reformatting.

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Barb Carlson Nov 20, 2009, 10:56am UTC

Here at work we had a terrible worm that particularly liked USB devices like memory sticks. I've heard of a few viruses and trojans riding along with jpgs from the internet ... perhaps you picked it up from visiting an infected website. It's good that your virus software noticed. Usually if they say they fixed it, it's gone, but it wouldn't hurt to reformat the memory stick.

You can do that from the computer (does it plug into your computer or do you plug your camera into the computer?) or via your camera. On one of the menus on your camera should be a "format" option. Hopefully that would take care of it.

I've also heard of various bits of nasty code getting into cells phones and PDAs. Anything is possible. I even heard of a virus coming pre-loaded on some cameras from the factory.

Alex in Wonderland Nov 20, 2009, 11:01am UTC

I spoke to Jason and he said his flash drive that he uses for school also had one and that people at school were infected as well. So he thinks it came from school but never thought that it could get on the camera.

I plug the usb cable into the camera. I'll look for that menu.

I was watching the news last night and it was talking about spyware infecting cell phones and being able to see text messages- how frightening! I'm sometimes glad we don't use a cell phone.

Barb Carlson Nov 20, 2009, 11:06am UTC

If someone wants to read my text messages, they can go right ahead. They will be bored out of their MINDS in short order. LOL!

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Sarah (I want points) Nov 20, 2009, 1:27pm UTC

I didn't know that could happen! How horrible.

Alex in Wonderland Nov 23, 2009, 9:42am UTC

I guess if it can get in a flash drive it can get into anything that plugs in. It really surprised me.

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d d. Nov 20, 2009, 5:59pm UTC

i was going to scream! how did a worm get onto your camera... ick..maybe it came out of the apple.

oh, that type of worm...never mind.

Alex in Wonderland Nov 23, 2009, 9:42am UTC

That would be GROSS!! I'd have cried. I am very scared of worms. I know they are good for dirt and I'm happy to have them around as long as they stay in their places in the ground.
This worm is less disgusting but no less annoying.

We found a worm in an apple a few weeks ago. The little girl I babysit almost bit into a slice of apple and out wiggled a tiny worm...eww!

d d. Nov 23, 2009, 12:11pm UTC

i would be screaming too.... if I saw the little worm in the little girls apple. I would have had to drink a mug of hot water. ick

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Leah Christensen Dec 20, 2009, 12:45am UTC

I dind't know you could get worms on digital cameras.

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A Worm...On My Digital Camera???

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