CaptnBob Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 Someone I work with says he's getting computer viruses embedded in MP3 files. My question - if I convert an infected MP3 to analog, run it through a 35 year old preamp, and dub it off onto a digital audio tape, take the tape downstairs and dub it into a digital playback system through another analog stage or two (take a deep breath here) what are the chances of a virus surviving all of that and contaminating the digital playback system? This may be an obvious question, but I haven't been able to get a definitive answer around here, and I'm not computer savvy enough on my own to figure it out with out help. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 Has there been documented proof of a virus spread via mp3? I haven't come across any but if they are that is a new attachment I will have to start blocking. I would say the chances of a virus surviving that are slim but you could always open it on a mac no chances of a virus infecting that but I suppose the last thing this forum needs is another flame war topic pc vs. mac : ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwatkins Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 Hello Bob - Probably (I came close to saying absolutely) not. Viruses are generally specific to an operating system and most of the viruses circulated via internet are aimed at windows and ancilliary windows applications. The virus searches for specific files or file locations to embed and start their weasily activities. This would not apply to most standalone audio playback devices that rely on firmware that is quite different than PC environments. That said some are being aimed at MP3 devices. This would also generally be well outside of anything you are looking to do. If it was me I wouldn't hesitate. Since it isn't me I disclaim this as advice and you proceed at your own risk.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuNat Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 there are no viruses that spread through MP3.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juba310 Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 I've never heard of a virus that could be embeded in an Mp3. If the file ends in the extension .mp3 its safe. If it has something like .mp3.exe then it could be trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prodj101 Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 a virus technically could not survive that journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnWhite Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 ---------------- On 7/26/2004 2:43:57 PM CaptnBob wrote: Someone I work with says he's getting computer viruses embedded in MP3 files. My question - if I convert an infected MP3 to analog, run it through a 35 year old preamp, and dub it off onto a digital audio tape, take the tape downstairs and dub it into a digital playback system through another analog stage or two (take a deep breath here) what are the chances of a virus surviving all of that and contaminating the digital playback system? This may be an obvious question, but I haven't been able to get a definitive answer around here, and I'm not computer savvy enough on my own to figure it out with out help. Thanks ---------------- Nope no way a virus can survive that trip, and if it did, holy assimilation batman, better call for backup cause the borg just arrived! Now Im not into the MP3 stuff, but if the mp3 players are using a windows CE version OS then technically yes its possable for a standalone mp3 player to become infected. BUT... The virus would most likly have to be written to target that enviroment and I've not heard of any virus targeting them yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meuge Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Even if someone figured out a virus that would be embedded into .mp3 files (entirely possible), when you convert it to analog it will become just a little bit of noise. When you convert the sound back to digital the conversion is nowhere even close to bit-perfect precision, so the virus would be lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnBob Posted July 27, 2004 Author Share Posted July 27, 2004 Thanks, folks. I knew somebody would be up on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.