Editing Codec (section)

==Malware==
{{Importance section|date=January 2022}}
'''{{vanchor|Fake codec|text=Fake codecs}}''' are used when an online user takes a type of codec and installs viruses and other [[malware]] into whatever data is being compressed and uses it as a disguise. This disguise appears as a codec download through a pop-up alert or ad. When a user goes to click or download that codec, the malware is then installed on the computer. Once a fake codec is installed it is often used to access private data, corrupt an entire computer system or to keep spreading the malware.  One of the previous most used ways to spread malware was fake AV pages and with the rise of codec technology, both have been used in combination to take advantage of online users.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/fake-video-codecs-still-going-strong|title=Fake Video Codecs Still Going Strong |access-date=2022-01-09}}</ref> This combination allows fake codecs to be automatically downloaded to a device through a website linked in a pop-up ad, virus/codec alerts or articles as well.