McAfee uncovers significant P2P media-file attack

While peer-to-peer (P2P) media file sharing has long-since been labelled as somewhat of a controversial online practice, security expert McAfee is now claiming that it could be potentially dangerous too.

More pointedly, California-based McAfee Inc. has announced the recent discovery of a malicious media file that is circulating throughout the file-sharing community and has already left its mark on approximately 500,000 users.

According to McAfee’s Internet security boffins, this latest malware P2P attack is the biggest they’ve seen for a number of years and has been most widely distributed through file-sharing services such as Limewire and eDonkey.

The file disguises itself in many ways, appearing as a host of music tracks, short pornographic video clips, or full-length movie downloads.

Some of the fake file titles include the likes of “girls aloud st trinians.mp3”, “heartbroken fast t2 feat jodie.mp3”, “meet bambi in kings harem.mp3“, “paralyized by you”, “pull over levert.mp3”, and “changing times earth wind.mp3”.

In terms of potential damage that can befall those who unwittingly run the infected file, McAfee has said that users will be prompted to install a codec for media play, which will then inundate their PC with harmful adware and pop-ups should they accept the installation.

McAfee also notes that the malicious media file has already attempted to worm its way into more than half a million (Windows-based) PC systems in the last seven days; although only around 50,000 of those users have actually agreed to install the fake codec and been hit with subsequent waves of pop-ups.

In order to protect computers from harm, McAfee is advising its customers to ensure that their installed security software remains up to date at all times, and also to be extra vigilant when and if frequenting online file-sharing service.