Can You Get A Virus From Just Browsing A Website?

**Ender** · 10-08-2003, 09:06 PM

Can you get a virus from just browsing? Or do you actually have to download something?

**4play** · 10-08-2003, 09:15 PM

you cant get a virus as such form just a html site, but internet explorer has certain security holes in it that are widely exploited and can be something as simple as a malicious hyperlink.

vbscript's are notorious for containing nasties so it is definetly possible to visit a website and get a virus if your security setting are not set properly.

**sharedholder** · 10-08-2003, 09:17 PM

Trojan uses MS hole to hijack Web browsers

**Ender** · 10-08-2003, 09:29 PM

I have all microsoft security patches. Should I be ok?

**-E-** · 10-08-2003, 09:31 PM

If you keep your computer updated with the latest patches and don't disable security settings in IE...you're fine.

You're far more likely to have spyware of some sort seep in then a virus.

**Nightwolf** · 10-09-2003, 06:45 AM

Absolutely, it's happened to me twice. I used to only run my virus scanner on individual files as I downloaded them because I thought you could only get a virus by opening an infected file. But as soon as I installed XP a few weeks ago, I got the Blaster Worm just by logging on to the Internet. Then a few days ago, I found I had received the Qhosts Trojan from going to the wrong website. Here are the details...

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcen...jan.qhosts.html

I've since installed Norton Systemworks 2004 and I keep it running all the time. It has already warned me against entering a site because it contained a virus.

The Internet is really starting to SUCK!

**[B][O][T]** · 10-09-2003, 06:50 AM

Yes You can get a virus from a website.

BOT

**nikita69** · 10-09-2003, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by E-@9 October 2003 - 03:31
If you keep your computer updated with the latest patches and don't disable security settings in IE...you're fine.

Incorrect, read THIS, and ul reconsider.