A new trojan was discovered in the wild yesterday by Sophos Antivirus. Big deal, right? Well, here’s the twist:

The trojan, called Erazer-A, targets the default download directories used by numerous P2P programs. The trojan works by searching for the default download directories that download programs use, and deleting any file that is a .mp3, a .avi, .mpeg, .wmv, .gif, .zip, or any other graphics and video file that it can find in the folder. The trojan acts to prevent infections of malware on machine’s that it is installed on.

I would be willing to bet BOTH of my big toes that the RIAA/MPAA is indirectly (via funding and support), if not directly, behind this. Combine their obvious motive with the inclusion of “beneficial” features (malware protection) in the virus for added PR value should they be caught red handed in this scheme. On top of that, you couldn’t find a black hat anywhere that would be willing to write an anti-p2p virus without some pretty significant financial motivation.

Keep in mind that we’re talking about the same people who tried slipping a provision into the Patriot Act that would give them, a private corporate entity, full authorization to break into any computer and delete any file they deemed to be in violation of any number of copyright laws. Vigilante justice indeed.