Virus writers are tapping into the popularity of online video sites to spread their malware. As well as posting spyware and adware infected files that pose as video clips onto P2P networks, hackers are booby-trapping Windows codecs that are needed to play some video formats with Trojan code or posting viruses that pose as codecs.

David Robinson, UK head of security firm Norman Sandbox, told the BBC that spyware and adware purveyors are producing malware bundles that offer a range of codecs. The tactic is similar to the more familiar ploy of offering so-called browser enhancements that load adware bundles onto the Windows PCs of prospective victims.

David Emm, senior technology consultant at anti-virus firm Kaspersky Labs, said that as well as P2P networks Web 2.0 sites such as YouTube and MySpace were ripe for exploitation. ®

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