Can you get infected by a virus/malware just by "accidentally" visiting a website?

[Battousai1]

Hi, I would like to ask, is it possible to be infected by a virus just by visiting a website?

I am kind of worried because I accidentally clicked on a link on a forum, some "sick" guy posted a link (he masked the link with a different name) so I did not know if the link was real (i should have looked first on the real link before clicking) after clicking on the link, new browser opened and a very disgusting "porn" site with very disturbing/disgusting image, I immediately closed the browser without even looking at the site (Im using firefox 1.5.3).

The bad thing is my antivirus was not running!

Well the very first thing I thought was is it possible that there could be a virus or malware that can cause very serious damage on a workstation just by accidentally visiting a website?

I dont mind if it would just be a spyware. Right now I just updated my antivirus and is currently scanning.

[Ol'Tunzafun]

Yes, it is possible. In some cases, it is not even necessary to click on anything.

[herosrest]

http://www.us-cert.gov/

[AllGamer]

a BRAND NEW machine

you connect it to the Internet, without a Antivirus software, or Firewall

you get infected right away, as soon as you so much as go to Microsoft.com!!!

[RockNRoll]

I am kind of worried because I accidentally clicked on a link on a forum, some "sick" guy posted a link (he masked the link with a different name) so I did not know if the link was real (i should have looked first on the real link before clicking) after clicking on the link, new browser opened and a very disgusting "porn" site with very disturbing/disgusting image, I immediately closed the browser without even looking at the site (Im using firefox 1.5.3).


I hate those fags! The sick frigging @)#*$)*!@#!!!

Sometimes you can even get stuff through Windows Media Player too... I've seen many occasions where PC's just start opening stuff and installing stuff while WMP is running. I have since switched to Winamp.

[crossedup]

A brand new install W/O messanger turned off and on the internet unprotected will have a virus in 10 seconds or less. I have tried this, it is true. ( especially if you click yes on the popup you get ).

[Sterling_Aug]

Ido not use IE. I now use Firefox browser with adblock extension and I get no popups.

[BipolarBill]

I immediately closed the browser without even looking at the site (Im using firefox 1.5.3).Wow...that must have been some aggressive programming to get Firefox to do that.

[beast16t]

I thought Firefox didn't handle stuff like active x in the same way as IE so it is nearly impossible to get stuff to run without the user saying so.
I'm probably wrong though.

I've picked up a virus before on a new installation by just going to the M$ update site. This was a few years ago so still on dialup connection with no firewall.
In hindsight; not such a hot idea :D

[AllGamer]

the problem is only IE

Firefox will have no problem going to those nasty sites.

but problem is, on a BRAND NEW machine, you have NOTHING, and the only way to get FireFox, is by using IE

hence the problem of the "Chicken or the Egg" dilema...

unless you have it already on a USB key chain or CD ROM, along with a good update Antivirus software, and AntiSpyware tools....

but if you were smart enough to have those handy after a fresh install of Windows... you'll have never had to ask about the problem visiting bad places and getting infected... right ;) :D

heck even i sometimes get a call out of the blue by some customer or friends and they need help to fix their machines, and well most times i'm having fun, and don;t carry any of that stuff with me, and i just have to relay on whatever junks they have on their location... "MacGuyver" :D but sometimes it blows in your face when they have nOTHING and have to relay on the so Unworthy IE, to get a good FireFox....

how ironic... and that is when all the **** comes into your computer (Win2000 example)

WinXP you are lucky enough to have a crappy firewall build in that keeps some of that bad stuff away... until you get FireFox in place... that is if you are lucky enough not to pass by and get hit by some super nasty AD links that install stuff that can bypass the weak WinXP firewall and break havoc on the fresh install of the OS, before you get even the chance to download FireFox....

[superpotts]

the problem is only IE

Firefox will have no problem going to those nasty sites.

but problem is, on a BRAND NEW machine, you have NOTHING, and the only way to get FireFox, is by using IE

hence the problem of the "Chicken or the Egg" dilema...

unless you have it already on a USB key chain or CD ROM, along with a good update Antivirus software, and AntiSpyware tools....

but if you were smart enough to have those handy after a fresh install of Windows... you'll have never had to ask about the problem visiting bad places and getting infected... right ;) :D

heck even i sometimes get a call out of the blue by some customer or friends and they need help to fix their machines, and well most times i'm having fun, and don;t carry any of that stuff with me, and i just have to relay on whatever junks they have on their location... "MacGuyver" :D but sometimes it blows in your face when they have nOTHING and have to relay on the so Unworthy IE, to get a good FireFox....

how ironic... and that is when all the **** comes into your computer (Win2000 example)

WinXP you are lucky enough to have a crappy firewall build in that keeps some of that bad stuff away... until you get FireFox in place... that is if you are lucky enough not to pass by and get hit by some super nasty AD links that install stuff that can bypass the weak WinXP firewall and break havoc on the fresh install of the OS, before you get even the chance to download FireFox....
I don't know, I think you could have fit "Firefox" in that post at least four more times. I mean really, there's about four sentences that don't even mention it! :p

[Battousai1]

Hi, just an update, I made a thorough scan and seems I am not infected at all. I know that gettin infected is possible before but I am not 100% sure, I was just kind of worried thats why I asked again.

I have learned this the hardway, before years ago I dont rely on antivirus (spyware was not a trend before and it doesnt even exist!) I was on the dial-up and I believe that my pc was not infected then becasue I was thinking that viruses cant get into your compuer just by surfing the web. But when I tried installing an antivirus I was surprised there are so many type of virus present already on my pc and me not even knowing it! I was thinking it was because of downloading stuffs and not surfing.

When I switched to WinXP a couple of years ago I had the OS installed on the campus with the networked attached (I think they installed it while connected on the campus network), when I brought the PC home I was surprised that even though there is an antivirus installed there are still virus and spyware present on a newly formatted/installed pc. I was thinking it was due to the campus' network!

[dajogejr]

I fresh install OS at my house behind my router/firewall.
Never had a problem yet. Of course, the first thing that goes on is AV...then MS updates, after chipset and drivers, unplugged...of course.

[G Ray88]

Once you get your antivirus, adware and spyware programs up and running be sure and keep them update and run them.
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=161595
Good Luck :)