What's New: New Trojan Infects MP3 and Movie Files

A new trojan infects multimedia files (MP3, Windows Media, etc.) and tricks the user into downloading a fake codec, while really installing software to allow others to use the PC. Experts theorize the trojan is designed to spread on peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing networks as users share music and video files. Once a file is opened, the user is prompted to install a codec, a piece of software used to decode and play multimedia files. In reality the software installs a proxy, allowing the trojan authors to route other, likely illegal, traffic through the compromised PC, and remain anonymous. Once installed the trojan infects other multimedia files on the user's hard drive, in hopes that they will be shared.

ITS has always encouraged users to be suspicious of downloaded files and peer to peer networks where the source of the file is by definition unknown. Users should also keep their antivirus software up to date on a daily basis, and periodically update to the latest version of the antivirus program in order to catch newer types of threats.

Friday, Jul 18, 2008 10:32 am CDT

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