The bad guys have released a file that requires you to install a custom video player, which is in fact a Mal/EncPk-IF malware—for PCs—or a OSX/Jahlav-C trojan horse—for Macs. Then again, if you believe that any video file requires a custom video player, you probably should get this and many other viruses. And some nasty bacteria too.

In case you are not a sports follower—like me—or don't know who the hell Erin Andrews is—like me—or don't find her sexy at all—like me—here's a CBS program talking about it:

[PC World]

I don't know how I got this thing, but it's bad. I think it's a variant of Vundo and something else, but it's nasty and has made my computer near-unusable.

So who wants to help me out? Anyone in NYC consider themselves an expert on virus removal? If you can clear my computer of the nasties without needing to wipe the HDD and reinstall Windows (did I mention the DVD drive is fried?), you'll become a minor internet celebrity when I do a post extolling my love of you right here on Giz. Anyone? Please? Email me.

Update: A lot of people have suggested MalwareBytes. I've tried to run it, but I think the virus is blocking it. Same with VundoFix and MultiFix.

Update 2: Making progress! Thanks to all the advice, everyone. I got ComboFix to run by renaming it, and after that I was able to get Malwarebytes to install. Now it's scanning and I'll throw some more scans at it from various suggested programs after that. I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel, knock on wood.

Update 3: Well, it seems pretty bad. I've resigned myself to a format/reinstall. Thanks for all your help, everyone! I'm still not switching to a Mac, despite this fucking horrible experience.

Sorry I couldn't reply to all the emails, I got a shitload of them, but I seriously, seriously appreciate all the advice and help. Giz readers rule, for real.

Are Macs still too pricey, Adam? Time—what you're gonna spend getting that Trojan off your machine—is money, after all. [Twitter]

P.S. I posted this from my trojan-free Windows desktop.

The trojan has been retooled a bit too, presumably to foil the fixes that were issued after the initial iLife scare. I'm sure a patched fix will come out soon enough, but the best tactic is to avoid this kind of thing altogether by, oh, I don't know, not giving pirated software root access whenever it asks for it. [Macenstein]

The Trojan parks itself in your /System/Library/StartupItems folder with read-write-execute root privileges—from there it can phone home to a remote server and install additional nasties throughout your system. Right now, the only true fix is a full format and re-install, since its residual pieces can be spread far and wide. You can spot if your particular warez iWork is infected by searching for the iWorkServices.pkg inside the installer.

It was spotted security software company Intego, who have identified several OS X security threats in the past. But as far as I can tell, this is the first one to come piggybacking along with a popular software package many people are pirating (Intego says 20,000 downloads).

If you're in the demographic of folks pirating iWork '09 via BitTorrent, chances are this is as close as you're come to getting VD from an ill-advised Southeast-Asian sex-professional liaison (the online equivalent). Still, not a good precedent to set. [Intego]

The FBI op, named Cisco Raider, was a two-year-old operation that targeted illegal distributors of fake network hardware, mostly manufactured in China. With the help of their Chinese counterparts and Cisco Systems, the FBI has so far executed 39 search warrants and confiscated roughly 3,500 network components.

The FBI is still not sure whether the counterfeit goods were distributed for profit or for reasons more insidious. Though Cisco says none of the counterfeited goods contained spyware, the threat of hackers infiltrating our systems is very real.

Modern circuits have billions of parts, so it's incredibly hard to detect the tweaked bits that could help nefarious foes take over our military infrastructure. And once the cyber-terrorists take over, who're we going to call? John McClane? [New York Times]

Why should you care? Because these SMSes are sent to premium ringtone downloads and other services, which will cost you between $1 and $10 per message. Ouch.

If you really want to keep your phone safe from Trojans, check out the video above from our time at CES. – Jason Chen

First Trojan-SMS virus for S60 Smartphones [Unwired View]

Good Journalism [DaringFireball via Consumerist]