ANSWERS: 2
  • It's not just possible, but it's becoming more prevalent. It's a popular way to infect a machine these days because of the new computer languages that are comming out. Java is a good example of a pc language that can facilitate a web site's transmission of a virus not to mention Active X controls. In answer to the second part of your question. When you visit a page on the net, you ARE downloading from it. It's the only way to see the page. If it's loaded with nifty little java applets and you want to see them, you have to download it. Some people have these browser extensions turned off in their respective browser. Stops the content from going on your PC, but you also miss seeing that content. It's a juggling act with security and viewing experience. It's up to an idividual what risk they are willing to take to see what they want to see.
  • In addition to what scubabob said, if your browser doesn't have all of its security updates applied - then vulnerabilities exist that makes malware even easier to get on your computer via your browser (Firefox included - although Firefox has fewer known bugs than IE). Matter of fact, the same goes for your Windows updates. If you don't have them - you're a ticking time bomb and you don't even have to start surfing web pages to get infected!

Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy