Hacker attacks music file sharers

NEWS

A hacker has created a virus that targets music lovers by deleting MP3 files on infected computers.

The worm, dubbed Nopir.B, spreads over peer-to-peer file-sharing networks and originated in France, according to security researchers at antivirus company Sophos on Friday.

Nopir.B is designed to look like a DVD-cracking program, to fool people looking for a program that will circumvent copy-restriction technology on DVDs. When the worm is downloaded and run, it attempts to delete all MP3 music files and wipe some programs from the infected PC.

Sophos said it believes the author of the virus may be looking to stamp out music piracy.

"The Nopir.B worm targets people it believes may be involved in piracy, but fails to discriminate between the true criminals and those who may have legally obtained MP3 files," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "Whichever side of the fence you come down on in regards to Internet piracy, there's no debate about the criminal nature of this worm — it's designed to inflict malicious damage on people's Windows computers."

Sophos has received few reports of the worm, but recommended that people update their security software.

Talkback

This worm attacked my PC and wiped out all my MP3 files i had collected from MP3.COM and deleted my XP accounts and corrupted the registry a very nasty worm.

22 Apr 05 14:33 Reply

It sounds like the music industry is taking the law into their own hands. Whoever’s heard of a French hacker? The French are the same people who a couple of weeks ago arouse in protest because they wanted the music industry to stop suing file sharers. It all sounds too coincidental .

22 Apr 05 18:30 Reply

I'd agree with that. What the virus doesn't take into account is legal mp3s from unsigned bands which are all over the net. Or mp3s ripped from CDs. It's been written without much thought if anything.

22 Apr 05 19:43 Reply

The guy who made that is NOT a hacker!!

24 Apr 05 13:35 Reply

it had to happen sooner or later - the music industry fights back... badly

24 Apr 05 19:48 Reply

Looks like Senator Hatch is getting what he wanted. Imagine that.

25 Apr 05 04:58 Reply

How low can the music industry, or anyone who supports them, go. Very low, judging by this.

MUSIC IS ART NOT MONEY!

25 Apr 05 09:15 Reply

I do hope that the person(s) responsible for this virus are caught and severly prosecuted - whoever they are. Not all MP3 files are illegal. I, for instance, am a songwriter/musician who both records and stores my music in various formats on my system. If anything should happen to my collection as a result of this criminals' action I will be very angry indeed.

26 Apr 05 15:12 Reply

how do you know this?

27 Apr 05 03:10 Reply

my previous post was directed at the post about "This is NOT a hacker"
sorry im stupid and ignorant but so is the person that posted that statement without backup

27 Apr 05 03:13 Reply