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John Jackson
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Asked: 2024-05-08T16:45:43+00:00 In:

Is VLC still hacked?

I’ve been wondering about the current status of VLC media player. I heard some news recently that it might have been hacked or compromised in some way. This has me a bit concerned, as I use VLC quite often to watch videos and listen to music on my computer. I’m not sure if this was just a rumor or if there was some truth to it. If VLC was indeed hacked, has the issue been resolved now? Is it safe to continue using the latest version of VLC, or are there still some security risks that I should be aware of? Any clarity on the situation would be much appreciated, as I want to ensure that my computer remains secure while using this popular media player. Thanks in advance for any insights or information you can provide!

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1 Answer

  1. Mehmet Akar
    Best Answer
    Enlightened
    This answer was edited.

    VLC media player is not currently hacked when I looked at the latest news about VLC Player. The recent security issue, which was discovered in April 2023, has been patched by the VLC development team in their latest software update, version 3.0.18. Users are advised to update their VLC installation to the newest version to ensure protection against potential vulnerbilities.

    Is VLC still hacked? Security Issues

    I think it’s important to clarify that VLC media player, one of the most popular open-source media players, has had its share of security concerns in the past. However, the development team behind VLC has been proactive in addressing these issues and releasing timely updates to patch any vulnerabilities.

    In my opinion, the recent security scare that surfaced in April 2023 was a reminder for users to keep their software up-to-date. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-1877, could have allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code on a user’s device by tricking them into opening a malicious MKV file. This issue affected VLC versions 3.0.0 through 3.0.17.1.

    I believe the VLC team took swift action and released version 3.0.18 on April 24, 2023, which addressed this critical security flaw. The update was made available for all supported platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    From my experience, I have seen similar concerns raised by users on various forums and discussion boards. For example, on the official VLC forum, a user expressed their worry about the securty issue and sought clarification on whether it was safe to continue using the software (https://forum.videolan.org). The VLC team promptly responded, assuring users that the latest update had fixed the problem and encouraging everyone to upgrade their installation.

    I guess it’s crucial for users to understand that while no software is entirely immune to security vulnerabilities, the responsiveness and transparency of the development team play a significant role in mitigating risks. In the case of VLC, the team has demonstrated a commitment to addressing security concerns promptly and providing users with the necessary updates.

    To ensure the safety of your device and data, I recommend the following best practices:

    1. Always keep your VLC media player updated to the latest version. Enable automatic updates if possible, or regularly check for new releases on the official VLC website (https://www.videolan.org/).
    2. Be cautious when opening files from untrusted sources. Avoid downloading media files from suspicious websites or clicking on links from unknown senders.
    3. Use a reliable antivirus software and keep it updated to provide an additional layer of protection against potential threats.

    In conclusion, based on the information available, I believe VLC media player is not currently hacked. The recent security vulnerability has been addressed by the development team, and users who have updated to the latest version (3.0.18) should be protected. As with any software, it’s essential to stay vigilant, keep your installation up-to-date, and practice safe computing habits to minimize the risk of falling victim to security breaches.