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Can I get virus from MP3 files?

by Meonthe
6 replies
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I was wondering can I get virus from MP3 or PDF files? Or what files have the possibility of containing virus?

Thanks in advance.
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Well, PDF files, as I recall, DO have a mechanism that could be used. MP3 DOESN'T, BUT there have been cases of people exploiting common bugs to run code that spreads the virus.

    The NORMAL answer for DATA files should be NO!

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Tashi Mortier
      The answer is yes.

      A data file itself can not trigger a virus, it is not being executed.

      BUT it can contain malevolent code that can be executed by using security holes in the application. And especially the MP3 format has a lot of options to store additional data, like cover pictures.

      Security holes like buffer overflow will run ANY code with the rights of the user who started the application. Basically you just overfill the buffer until you start overwriting code of the application itself. That way if it intends to run that code, it will run the virus' code instead.

      The problem with PDFs was something else. They can legally contain scripts that can contain code that downloads the actual virus and executes it.
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      Want to read my personal blog? Tashi Mortier

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      • Profile picture of the author joebel
        Yes, It can contain virus but also keep on mind that you can get also the virus from the SOURCE of the file.
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  • Profile picture of the author Meonthe
    Thank you all for your responses. they were very helpful thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Fazal Mayar
    Any type of files can contain a virus i think, make sure to have a firewall or an antivirus of some sort.
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    Blogger at RicherOrNot.com (Make Money online blog but also promoting ethical internet marketing)

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Fazal Mayar View Post

      Any type of files can contain a virus i think, make sure to have a firewall or an antivirus of some sort.
      Maybe it could contain, but the idea of spreading requires some way to trigger it. The three most popular ways seem to be vectors, which only work on runnable files, scripts, which are great for things like access or web browsers, or exploiting the reader, like with GIF files.

      On a normal text file, you are almost certainly safe.

      Steve
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