Downloading random files from unknown sources is sheeplike behavior. I wonder how many of you took the bait (I didn't).
"Unknown source? It's on survival monkey. I'm pretty sure we scan for viruii. " Monkey or not you always need good protection. If your seystem did not use DEP then you may have a new virus! What is Data Execution Prevention? Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature that can help prevent damage to your computer from viruses and other security threats. Harmful programs can try to attack Windows by attempting to run (also known as execute) code from system memory locations reserved for Windows and other authorized programs. These types of attacks can harm your programs and files. DEP can help protect your computer by monitoring your programs to make sure that they use system memory safely. If DEP notices a program on your computer using memory incorrectly, it closes the program and notifies you.
Ok...explain how this mp4 had an embedded virus or somehow did something malicious? I'm not being argumentative, just wording if I've missed some new type of cyber-threat.
If DEP notices a program on your computer using memory incorrectly, it closes the program and notifies you. Which is exactly what happened with my system. So yes it contains some type of "Harmful programs can try to attack Windows by attempting to run (also known as execute) code from system memory locations reserved for Windows and other authorized programs. These types of attacks can harm your programs and files." Or so my software thought.
OK....not saying you're incorrect, but, how does an .mp4, .pdf, .jpg (binary attachment) contain malicious code AND execute that code. For example, if you open a .jpg, your OS calls the app that deals with images. How does malicious activity happen? The app would have to be doing it, not the file. So, I've view the .mp4 with DEP set to max, and got nothing. Virus scanner, Malwaerbytes, Spybot all found nothing. And for the record, there was no "bait." That word implies malice on my part.
This is why the smart ones don't use Windoze...or, at least one of the reasons. Switched back to Mac some years ago when I no longer had to experience Windoze problems to fix them...I click with confidence and without all the add-ons to avoid virus issues etc.