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Worm Transcodes MP3s To Infect PCs

Posted by kdawson on from the just-don't-click dept.

snydeq writes "Kaspersky Labs has discovered malware that inserts links to malicious Web pages within ASF media files, posing a danger to Windows users who download music files from P2P networks. Infected files launch IE and load a page that asks the user to download a codec. The download, a Trojan horse, installs a proxy program to route other traffic through the PC. The malware also has worm-like qualities, according to Secure Computing. It searches for MP3s, transcodes them to WMA format, wraps them in an ASF container, and adds links to further copies of the malware, all without modifying the .MP3 extension."

16 of 385 comments (clear)

  1. wow, that's evil by brunascle · · Score: 5, Funny

    It searches for MP3s, transcodes them to WMA format, wraps them in an ASF container

    Wow, that's evil, even for malware authors.

    1. Re:wow, that's evil by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 5, Funny

      Wow, that's evil, even for malware authors.

      That's nothing. I heard the next version will automatically go out the Web, sign up for an e-Trade account, and then proceed to buy stocks like GOOG, AAPL, RHAT, etc., and automatically sell them short.

      --
      My blog
    2. Re:wow, that's evil by oahazmatt · · Score: 5, Funny

      It searches for MP3s, transcodes them to WMA format, wraps them in an ASF container

      Wow, that's evil, even for malware authors.

      That's nothing. You should see the fix. Your anti-virus program will update its definitions, and if it identifies any of these files prior to download, it makes them appear in a Real Audio format so your never tempted to download them to begin with.

      --
      Those who believe the Internet is private,
      find their privates are on the Internet.
    3. Re:wow, that's evil by hyperz69 · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, Evil is if it transcodes them to Real Media. Though I don't even think Satan himself could do that to anyone!

    4. Re:wow, that's evil by flyneye · · Score: 3, Funny

      I want the RIAA to be DEEPLY investigated,prosecuted with a fair trial and a decent hangin'.
                The music industry is terminal.It's lashing out in its dying breath.
                Just run your antivirus over your downloads before playing.
                Let's just go ahead and keep killing the industry so musicians can have a level playing field and we can do away with the corruption and misdirection to mediocre talent it provides.

      --
      *Repent!Quit Your Job!Slack Off!The World Ends Tomorrow and You May Die!
    5. Re:wow, that's evil by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      Just a thought.

      Here's one just for you.

    6. Re:wow, that's evil by sempernoctis · · Score: 2, Funny

      Worms I can deal with. Defiling my MP3 collection with WMA/ASF? That's harsh.

    7. Re:wow, that's evil by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      but hey... who's going to try to change it?

      I will, in 10 years after I become batman.

    8. Re:wow, that's evil by dna_(c)(tm)(r) · · Score: 5, Funny

      Why would Microsoft transcode mp3's to Real Media?

      Because "WOOSH" sounds better in that format?

  2. Richard Stallman Says... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you'd just used OGG, this never would have happened! ;-)

  3. Gentlemen, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I must applaud the RIAA on this occasion. I may have mocked their efforts in the past, but this is truly an impressive piece of work, worthy to be called a hack.

  4. hmm... by Taibhsear · · Score: 4, Funny

    Good thing I only download FLAC and transcode it myself to mp3... I mean, I buy cds straight from the RIAA for $50 a pop so I can bypass those greedy artists... yeah, that's the ticket...

  5. Re:Data vs Program by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    You mean just have it read X bytes of data and stop!? But how would they have supercyberhyperwebbrowsing? I want gimmicks not reliability.

  6. No the ultimate evil is if... by Fallen+Andy · · Score: 5, Funny

    it *downloads* real player

    1. Re:No the ultimate evil is if... by saboola · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, the real evil is buffering.. buffering..

  7. a) ASF is patented, b) by Microsoft. by Joce640k · · Score: 4, Funny

    So ... I think we can deduce which players are vulnerable to this.

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