>From what I have learned, CDA files do not really exist. They are merely a >list of addressing info, that is being generated by your OS, the moment you insert the CD. The sound data of a CD is one long file. CDA files are generated by the OS, and used by other software like Windows Explorer, ripping tools, or mediaplayers. As such, I agree with Erik, there is no real chance that a virus would have come from the CDA info of a CD, and hardly from the Audio data of the disc itself either. What chances then, could there be for anyone to "plant" a virus on a Music CD at all? Very few, although it could have been done. There is a few CDs on the market, with Multi-Session structure, meaning that the CD contains both music, and some other data. Such data could be pictures, text files, or the like. Things that the artist somehow feels relate to his music. I have for instance, seen this done with some kind of relaxing music, where the CD did hold music, and a kind of a slideshow or screensaver, that would play on the computer along with the music - if the correct software was installed ahead of time. A standard hardware CD player, would only recognize and play the music part of such a Multi-Sessioned disc. But there is even hardware players on the market today, that will display text files if such are found on the disc, along with the music playback. Such hardware players, have been on the market for at least the last decade. Where does all of this take us? Well, fact is, that there theoretically would be a technical chance of implanting a virus on a CD. Our big question is, how big a chance does exist, that even if your CD holds a virus, it will be spreading on to your computer? If your CD was a piracy copy disc, there could have existed a bit of a chance. And sorry to say, you only had got what you asked for. But a CD from a well-reputed music recording company, like the ones you buy through acknowledged music stores, I'd say the risk would be pretty small. Such CDs, that a well-known company let out with a virus, would simply be the beginning of the end for that company in the market - wouldn't it? If you got a virus from such a CD, all chances are that a thousand other customers would have got the same virus. And how long do you think that CD would have stayed on the market? One week, one month? It wouldn't have taken long before it would have reached the news. My whole point here is, that to worry your music CD will hold a virus that could infect your PC, is much like worrying that you would pick up a tough disease from sitting in the very seat on the local bus, where someone ill just had been sitting. It is not impossible, but the chance is that small, that in practical life it is more or less out of question. And what is your best protection for not catching a flue, simply by holding the same pencile that another person with a flue just let down? Take your precautions; right? What then, could be the precautions to take on your computer? A good anti-virus, and maybe even an additional anti-malware program. Many such software can be set to scan your removable medias for harmful stuff, soon as the media is inserted. Even if they are not performing such introductory scanning, they likely would have picked up on the virus, once it tries to infect your computer. Do CDA entries hold data that eventually could be a virus? Nope! Could a music CD potentially hold a virus apart from the music? Technically it might be a chance. Does this pose a risk on my playing music CDs on my computer? Hardly. A million higher risks that your computer gets infected by all the other activity you are performing. Opening Emails, browsing on the internet, inserting your friend's USB stick into your computer, downloading files from sites and manufacturers you do not know, sharing files with your "friends", or any other activity you are performing and which include some kind of data exchange. Even just being connected with another computer, or the internet itself, would pose higher risk by far. What to do? Simply make sure you are running a certain amount of security software on your computer always. A well-reputed AntiVirus, an additional AntiSpyware or AntiMalware package, and at least a basic firewall like the one included with Windows. ----- Original Message ----- From: erik burggraaf To: Don S Cc: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2012 2:20 AM Subject: Re: Opinions on music files and viruses Hi Don, CDA files don't contain any meta data. It's impossible that they had a virus. Some very clever and ruthless people have figured out ways to attach viruses to mp3's, since they do contain meta data, but not actual cd audio files. Best, Erik Burggraaf Introducing Ebony Consulting business card transcription service, starting at $0.45 per card or $35 per hundred cards. Ebony Consulting toll-free: 1-888-255-5194 or on the web at http://www.erik-burggraaf.com On 2012-08-18, at 6:56 PM, Don S wrote: Hi: I have heard that it is tough to impossible to attach a virus, spyware, trojans to music files. How true is this statement. I thought I had a virus and assumed it was picked up off a cd with cda files. Thanks Don
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