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Open Source Software Hijacked To Push Malware

Posted by samzenpus on from the malware-of-the-people dept.

jfruhlinger writes "VLC Media Player is a popular, useful, and free-as-in-beer piece of software. Unfortunately, its open source nature makes it easier for people with bad intentions to repackage it in nefarious ways. Not only do some of these folks claim that they're the originator of the software (a violation of trademark law and the license), but they often bundle it up with crapware and malware, which is a real dilemma for open source developers who play by the rules."

4 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. No It doesn't by zero.kalvin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It doesn't matter if it is open or close source. You are an idiot if you download anything from an untrusted source, point and end of discussion.

    1. Re:No It doesn't by sortadan · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yeah, I know it's silly to complain about 'news' headlines, but it sounded like the official distribution had been infected. That is not the case and http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ is still a safe provider of the software.

  2. Show in the right places by udoschuermann · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The text in proprietary software can be patched to change attribution, and viruses can be attached to binaries easily enough. It's just a little easier with software for which the source code is available. Either way, don't "shop" in the wrong place.

    --
    --Udo.
  3. Has nothing to do with OSS by MobyDisk · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You can do this with any software. Scammers have been selling virus-loaded copies of Microsoft Office since the days of dial-up.