100% download unknown codecs
Beware of Custom Codecs
While not particularly common, the potential danger posed by the
misuse of custom codecs makes this an insidious threat: in our
example, a visitor to a gallery post site will come across a free
video gallery with particularly compelling text and preview images;
once the user clicks on the link to view a sample video, he is
presented with a webpage that contains an embedded media player;
often an older version of Microsofts popular Media Player and
while the audio track is audible, the video screen is black and the
webpage displays a note that You must install this codec upgrade
to view the video! Clicking the download link is an open
invitation to disaster as the unknown software being installed on
the users system could contain any number of viruses and other
unwanted entities.
Indeed, our analysis of these suspect pages show that the video
does not require a codec upgrade and is using scripting techniques
to render a black screen while the video plays this fact
demonstrates the ill-will of the websites operators; the
fraudulent nature of the need for a new codec; and the danger
involved in downloading this unknown software.
Its important to note that current software such as Microsofts
Media Player, Apples QuickTime and other popular applications,
come pre-installed with a variety of codecs that should suit most
needs. Sometimes however, users need to install a new codec, such
as the popular DivX; but this should only be done from the codec
providers website not from a page on an unknown website.
Embedded video players are also quite common and should not be
viewed as menacing; but when in doubt about the need for any
unknown downloads or upgrades, its best to do a little research
before agreeing to the installation, and always a safe bet to run a
full virus scan after the install.
from adultsave.org
