A popular way to trick you into downloading malware is to disguise the files as fake codecs. Codecs are little files that you download to update your software, so you can play certain types of media files. Hackers will create trojans and backdoors and viruses dressed up as fake codecs, so you’ll get an alert telling you to download a certain codec when you visit a site. You don’t thick twice, you click “OK,” and unknowingly download malware onto your PC.

Kind of like a hot girl showing up at your place, knocking nicely, getting inside, and planting a little bomb or camera.

I don’t want to get all mommy on you, but you’ve got to triple check files you download and attachments you open, especially when you haven’t expressly requested them.

Here’s a list of some fake codecs to watch for. I’ll try to keep this list updated.

Fake Codes