Fake DivX Plugin Leads to Malware Disguised as Image File

[Matsuda]

In case you’re looking for funny videos online, beware of websites that urge you to install a DivX plugin. Experts have found a scam that uses this trick to distribute malware.

According to ThreatTrack Security researchers, when users visit the shady video websites, they’re informed that the DivX plugin is missing.

“DivX plug-in required! You don’t have the plugin required to view the video. Save the video and run it locally,” potential victims are told.

The files they’re offered, apparently funny or raunchy image files, are actually a piece of malware compiled by Russian cybercriminals. The malicious elements are named something like YouLolPIC-facebook.com, MeFunnyTIFF-fb.com, IamFunnyJPEG-fb.com,
YouLolPIC-fb.com or MeNiceJPG-facebook.com.

When executed, the malware contacts a remote page and an image is displayed. In the meantime, an information-stealing Trojan steps into action.

The same domain that displays the bogus DivX warning has also been found to advertise a Facebook app that also serves the same types of threats.

The Internet is full of genuine websites that host funny videos and pictures. Try to avoid ones that ask you to install all sorts of shady software, or ones that ask you to complete surveys.


Source

[Whoopenstein]

I guess some people don't know that a file ending in .com is an executable. It doesn't help when Windows has file extensions of known file types turned off in the display by default. How's anyone going to learn that way?

[OrbingStorm]

I know everything that's installed in my pc by me so I would never click install to a plugin....ive got all the ones I need already.

[kakuro]

Thank Matsuda-NSANE for your post, it's really useful.