Free doesn't mean Safe

If you are prompted to install special application just to play the music you have downloaded, most likely its a fake music file! Do not proceed with the installation! You have been warned.

A fake file posing as a music track or movie clip that installs malicious software on a user's PC is being circulated on the internet, according to a BBC report. Security firm McAfee, better known for distributing anti-virus software under the same name, said that almost 500,000 computers have been infected by the fake file so far.

Widely circulated through peer-to-peer file-sharing networks like eDonkey and Limewire, the file comes in many names and is written in several languages to make it look convincing. The file's titles make it look to be music tracks, pornography or movie clips. The BBC reports that the users who download the file will be prompted to install a special media player in order to play the music track or video clip. If the user goes ahead with the installation, a number of malware programs will infect the PC and the user will be bombarded with popup windows and risk compromising the security of their computer.

However, McAfee said that this only 10% of the 500,000 users have actually gone ahead with the installation and were plagued by the popups. Only Windows users are vulnerable to this malicious file. PC users are urged to update their anti-virus or other security software and be careful when using file-sharing networks.