User:Chewywookie77/sandbox

Examples:

Fake Codecs are a common misuse of codec technology that has risen in use in the last decade and has been around since codecs were first invented. Fake Codecs are used when an online user takes a type of codec and installs viruses and other malware into whatever data is being compressed and uses it as a disguise. This disguise appears as a codec download through a pop up alert or add. When a user goes to click or download that codec the computer virus and malware is then installed on your computer. Once a fake codec is installed it is often used to access private data, corrupt an entire computer system or to keep spreading the malware. One of the previous most used ways to spread malware was fake AV pages and with the rise of codec technology both have been used in combination to take advantage of online users (For Example). This combination allows fake codecs to be automatically downloaded to a device through a website linked in a pop up add, virus/codec alerts or articles as well. The website 2 Spyware has a list of the 24 most used websites to download fake codecs and helps provide common signs of fake codecs. The fake codecs appear as a finely tuned add or website that functions and looks legit and gets brought to a users attention through prior research history. Users who often operate on a lot of untrusted websites looking for an easier access to things like movie pirating, adult content or media downloading software. This is an example of how malware can be spread. To avoid fake codecs one can use VPN softwar e, data cleaning software and avoiding anything that seems targeted or suspicious.