Can MP3 files contain viruses and other bad stuff?

I have always assumed that MP3 files are generally virus free.

I've never had any problems with stuff like MP3s or movie files I've obtained via P2P file sharing programs.

Recently I've been swapping a lot of Mp3 files with people via Bulletin Board Forums. I was wondering if anyone has heard of viruses being transmitted via MP3.

Naturally I'm suspicious of .exe files but is it possible that a malicious executable file could be hidden in / disguised as an MP3?

Would most anti-virus software like AVG, or Nortons automatically screen the file before the attachment opens, or should I dowload the file and manually direct a scan of each file first?

Can MP3 files contain viruses and other bad stuff?virus removal

There are no viruses to infect MP3 audio files. There is one widespread fake warning on such virus in circulation. MP3 are not self executable files nor, they can they contain any scripting. Such files like .mp3 .dat .txt cannot contain virus. Or even if it has the virus signature, the code cannot be activated. People who say that mp3 can contain virus or infect your system are just ignorant, who prefer to give advice without knowing about it.

People who get infected by virus (who claim that they got infected by mp3, are usually victims of exploits). There are no worms or virus till date which can use mp3 files as host to infect systems.