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What is drive-by download in cyber security?
A drive-by download attack refers to the unintentional download of malicious code to your computer or mobile device that leaves you open to a cyberattack. You don’t have to click on anything, press download, or open a malicious email attachment to become infected.
What is a Java drive-by?
What is Java driveby? A Java DriveBy is a Java Applet that is coded in Java, when placed on a website. Once you click “Run” on the pop-up, it will download a program off the internet. This program can be used to spread a virus and malware effectively and has been spotted in the wild.
Can websites download things without you knowing?
Websites you visit can download and install software without your knowledge or approval. This is called a drive-by download. The objective is usually to install malware, which may: Record what you type and what sites you visit.
Why are there drive by downloads for JavaScript?
One major reason is that JavaScript malware can infect a computer without any interaction from the user in what’s called a “drive-by download attack.” Marc Laliberte, information security threat analyst at WatchGuard, recently wrote an article for Website Magazine explaining how drive-by downloads work and best practices for defending against them.
What can be done about drive by downloads?
In the meantime, drive-by downloads are a nagging headache for tech support groups and for the users whose computers and productivity they cripple. However, while drive-by downloads will continue to create chaos for unsuspecting end users, IT departments can take actions to defend against these stealth attacks.
What does the term drive by download mean?
A drive-by install (or installation) is a similar event. It refers to installation rather than download (though sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably).
How are drive by downloads distributed on the Internet?
Dasient, a company that makes software to prevent Web-based malware attacks, notes that nearly 4 million web pages across more than 400,000 websites are infected with malware each month. Another common way drive-by downloads are distributed is through advertising networks.