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    Which video codec contain spyware?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by JoeJimGregory, Aug 17, 2006.

  1. JoeJimGregory

    JoeJimGregory Notebook Enthusiast

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    Do video codecs like xVid, DivX, ffdshow, Matroska, etc. contain some sort of spyware/adware?

    If so, where can I download codecs that are safe? :confused:

    Which codecs are safe to download?
     
    JoeJimGregory, Aug 17, 2006
    #1
  2. kidA

    kidA Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    i had issues with the matroska pack giving me a dvd encoder that caused issues with WMP so i've since ditched it for XP Codec Pack which is clean and has the basic divx avi ffdshow xvid etc codecs.
    XP Codec Pack also has a codec finder that scans for codecs and lets you see them all.
     
    kidA, Aug 17, 2006
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  3. James

    James Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    Everytime I install something like this, I will usually run both Ad-aware and Spybot right after the installation. I believe that Xvid contained no spyware, or any kind of malware (its been a while since I installed it though). I avoid Divx. In my past experience Divx has been loaded with junk, but I can't comment on the new releases, or any of the other video codecs you listed.
     
    James, Aug 17, 2006
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  4. iza

    iza Notebook Evangelist

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    I think most of them are spyware/adware free (the official ones anyways.) Some codec packs may have it though.
    I've found the K-Lite codec pack to be excellent, and I'm pretty sure it's clean of malware.
     
    iza, Aug 17, 2006
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  5. autophobic

    autophobic Notebook Geek

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    I like the cccp
     
    autophobic, Aug 17, 2006
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  6. Arla

    Arla Notebook Deity

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    For 99% of videos all you need to download is FFDshow, this avoids any codec issues with codecs conflicting with each other.
     
    Arla, Aug 17, 2006
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  7. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Your best bet with ANY download you ever do is to get it from a reputable site. Don't type in a Google search for a codec and download the first link, you know? Somebody could always embed malicious code into what seems to be perfectly legit. And don't depend on anti-spyware to root out all of it. It seems none of them can find more 50% of spyware. Habits are the most important part of security. Try to keep to well known or trusted sites that are linking the download from a trusted site.
     
    cashmonee, Aug 17, 2006
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  8. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    don't download anything you don't need, this goes for codecs as well.

    make sure you actually need it.
     
    drumfu, Aug 17, 2006
    #8