Malware
Drive-by download
In Turkish: Ziyaret yoluyla bulaşma (drive-by download)
Malware that installs itself just because you visited a booby-trapped page, using a flaw in an outdated browser or system.
In this attack you do not have to click "install". A page, or an ad on an honest page, tries to exploit a known flaw in your browser, plugins or system. If your software is up to date, the flaw is gone and the attempt fails.
These attacks are far less common on well-kept devices. Updates are the strongest defence, and browser warnings are worth heeding.
What to do
- Keep your browser and system on automatic updates.
- Heed the browser's red warning page instead of clicking past it.
- Remove plugins and extensions you no longer use.
Related terms
Learn it in the Academy
Try it
Free tools that put this to use.
- Website security check
Grade a website's security headers, HTTPS and protection against forged email.