Can You Get A Virus From Just Browsing A Website?

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10-08-2003, 09:06 PM
Ender

Can you get a virus from just browsing? Or do you actually have to download something?
10-08-2003, 09:15 PM
4play

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.
10-08-2003, 09:17 PM
sharedholder

Trojan uses MS hole to hijack Web browsers
10-08-2003, 09:29 PM
Ender

I have all microsoft security patches. Should I be ok?
10-08-2003, 09:31 PM
-E-

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.
10-09-2003, 06:45 AM
Nightwolf

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!
10-09-2003, 06:50 AM
[B][O][T]

Yes You can get a virus from a website.

BOT
10-09-2003, 07:25 AM
nikita69

Quote:

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.
10-09-2003, 07:36 AM
-E-

wth kinda webpages you ppl going to?
10-09-2003, 07:36 AM
Rip The Jacker

Yes you can get a virus from just browsing a website, but your most likely safer with Opera than you are with IE.
10-09-2003, 07:42 AM
3rd gen noob

Quote:

Originally posted by E-@9 October 2003 - 07:36
wth kinda webpages you ppl going to?

russian porn/crack sites are some of the most 'compromised'
10-09-2003, 08:05 AM
toddiscool

Quote:

Originally posted by Nightwolf@9 October 2003 - 01:45
The Internet is really starting to SUCK!

It certainly is, kazaa is almost becomin one of the safer places. God the things I hear at work. Hopefully the Qhosts being recognized as a virus, well help with the prevention of browser hijaking, I think this is the worst thing on the net. I feel so bad for callers at work, because they do not have a damn clue how to fix it.