Almost everyone knows to be careful when using the internet. Even people who are not so careful know better than to open strange-looking files, programs, and emails. However, does doing all these mean you are fully protected from getting a virus?. Let us know more detail about ‘Can You Get A Virus From Visiting A Website?’.
Can You Get A Virus From Visiting A Website?
Sadly, despite how careful you are, you can still get a virus while using the internet just by visiting a website. This is because some websites have hidden malware that can be downloaded into your device when you visit such a website. Read on if you’d like to learn more about how you can get a virus from visiting a website.
How Can You Get a Virus from Visiting a Website?
Now you know that you can get a virus from visiting a website, you are probably wondering why and how that is even possible. Well, a simple explanation for that is that websites like these have hidden malicious codes in them.
Hackers know that cybersecurity is steadily on the rise. People no longer fall prey to the older hacking traps. So, hackers are continuously developing newer and better ways to infiltrate internet-user devices by embedding malware into otherwise safe-looking websites. They do this by using exploit kits.
What are Exploit Kits?
Exploit kits stealthily look for and then exploit any vulnerability they can find on a computer while a user uses the web. Hackers buy or rent the exploit kits from their creators. Hackers tend to use exploit kits more because it is works automatically and does not need them to do the hacking themselves. All they have to do is deploy the kit and it automatically goes to work by itself.
When you visit a website that an exploit kit has been installed on, you would be discreetly rerouted to another page. The page you get rerouted to will look exactly like the page you wanted to visit so you won’t suspect anything. While on this page, the exploit kit goes ahead to scan your device for any vulnerability.
Once a vulnerability is identified, the exploit kit takes advantage of it and then sends malware through it. The malware automatically downloads on your computer.
Exploit kits can also be deployed on legitimate websites. However, in this case, a pop-up (adware) is used. If you make the mistake of clicking on the pop-up or even clicking too close to it, you could end up getting a virus on your device.
Once the malware is successfully installed on your device, the payload will be sent. This can be anything; it could be a ransomware app that locks down your device pending when you pay the hacker, it could also be spyware that will gather your personal information from your device, or a keylogger that tracks your device and can even get your passwords, or even a Trojans, this can access your banking data and take out your money without your consent.
The sad thing is you most likely won’t even realize that any of these are happening.
How to Avoid Getting a Virus When Using the Web?
After reading everything that has been said so far, you are most likely worried. With the crafty ways hackers are attacking unsuspecting web users you might feel there’s no way you can protect your device from getting a virus and getting hacked. Well, your fears are valid but do not give up hope.
There are certain proactive measures you can take to avoid getting a virus or at least reduce the chances of it happening. The good thing is you do not even need to have too much technical knowledge to carry out these measures.
1. Update
Remember, exploit kits get access to your device by exploiting the vulnerabilities they find on your device. Some applications, websites, and browsers have certain known vulnerabilities and these can be easily exploited. However, identified vulnerabilities are cataloged on the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposure list.
Developers have access to this repository so if they make a product that has any of these known vulnerabilities, they can easily identify it. At this point, they will then send out an update to fix the issue.
If you fail to update your programs, operating systems, and browsers, you leave your device prone to viruses as it will have certain vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Therefore, to protect your device from malware, make it a duty to always update your applications, browsers, operating systems, and so on immediately after an update is available.
2. Upgrade
Programs and operating systems typically progress, and new and better versions are offered from time to time. As this progress goes on, some older versions may become obsolete. Obsolete in the sense that the developers of said program or operating system will stop supporting the old version.
When this happens, they stop paying attention to whatever is happening with the outdated version. So, if a new vulnerability is identified in the older version, nothing will be done to fix it.
If you still happen to be using this unsupported version, then your device will have these vulnerabilities and hackers can easily exploit them. Therefore, you need to upgrade your devices and programs as newer versions come out.
This is not to say that you need to upgrade once a new version comes out. On the contrary, you can use the older version for as long as you want to until it stops being supported by the developer. But if you are using an older version of a program or operating system, ensure you keep track to know when it stops being supported by the developer so you can upgrade and protect your device from getting a virus.
3. Use Tools to Protect Your Device from Viruses
There are so many tools you can use to make your devices less susceptible to malware. You could use multiple tools at the same time to provide layered and rounded protection. Most protection applications can be used alongside others to give you layered protection. When you use several protection methods your device tends to identify more potential threats that may have been missed if you were using just one protection method.
Some tools that you can use alongside each other to ensure better protection are:
- Antivirus/anti-malware
- Anti-exploit applications
- Adblockers
4. Use HTTPS Sites
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol; this is the protocol that is used to transfer data to a website from the browser. However, HTTPS (HTTP Secure) sites are the most reliable and secure sites.
HTTPS uses transport layer security (TLS) to encrypt data and this makes transferring data between the browser and website more secure. So, when browsing the web, visit HTTPS sites to protect yourself from getting hacked. To know an HTTPS site, simply look at the address bar; if it’s an HTTPS site, you’d see HTTPS on the address bar before the name of the site.
Some browsers even make it easier for you to identify HTTPS sites by putting a lock icon beside the site address.
5. Be Careful When Browsing the Web
You also need to be alert and careful when browsing the web. Do not visit suspicious-looking websites. Some certain types of sites are easily used by hackers, for instance, pornography sites.
Also, avoid clickbait. They are typically put on sites to attract users’ attention. Once you get drawn by a clickbait and then click the link attached to it, you may end up landing on a web page with malicious codes.
Another thing to avoid is pop-up ads. Remember that some legitimate sites can contain pop-ups (adware) that can redirect you to pages where you can get hacked. If a pop-up ad brings up something that you are very interested in, try not to click on the pop-up. Instead, go to the product website directly to order the product.
Just make sure you stay alert and careful as you use the web so you do not land on a malware-infected page.
Conclusion
You can get a virus by just visiting a malware-infected website. The good thing is that you can reduce the chances of this happening to you or even prevent it altogether. All you need to do is practice all the tips that have been discussed so far. Finally, ensure your data is always backed up. This way, you would have something to fall back on if your device gets compromised despite your preventive efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. What Should I Do if I Visit a Bad Website?
If you mistakenly visit a malicious website or page, immediately leave the website/page, clear your browser cache and history, and then close the browser. Doing these should prevent your browser from revisiting the bad website or page.
- 2. Can You Get a Virus from a Secured Website?
Secured websites (HTTPS sites) make use of transport layer security which makes it harder for malicious codes to be embedded in the sites. However, sometimes, malicious pop-ups can come up on legitimate sites and once you click on these pop-ups, you’d get redirected to a page where hacking can occur.
