Is a media file with a virus possible?

Question

Malware

Is it possible to place the virus code in a media file (music file, movie, picture) so that it starts as an executable file, and for example, downloads the remaining parts of itself or installs itself on a PC, or maybe immediately starts sending user data to the creator's PC.

Answer 1

You can "pretend" to be a media file, a la "image.jpg *a lot of spaces* .exe" (if Windows).
If you do not deliberately pervert and do not try to launch a virus called "image.jpg" as an executable file, then you cannot, because it is opened by a third-party program that reads (read ! = execute) the file.