Drive By Download

Ever heard the expression “drive-by download “?

Drive-by-downloads are/is:

1. Downloads which the user indirectly authorized but without understanding the consequences (eg. by installing an unknown ActiveX component or Java applet).
2. Any download that happens without knowledge of the user.
3. Download of spyware, a computer virus or any kind of malware that happens without knowledge of the user.
4. Download of malware through exploitation of a non-updated or non-patched web browsers, e-mail clients or operating systems, without any user intervention whatsoever.

Drive-by downloads may happen simply by visiting a website, viewing an e-mail message or by clicking on a deceptive popup window.  The user clicks on the window in the mistaken belief that, for instance, it is an error report from his own PC or that it is an annoying advertisement popup.  In such cases, the “supplier” may claim that the user “consented” to the download though he or she was completely unaware of having initiated a malicious software download.

In order to protect yourself you need to:

1. make sure you have all of the latest security patches and updates.
2. ensure you have good virus protection software and your subscription is up to date.
3. do not click on suspicious links (See THIS blog post about Phishing)

My Tech Team works hard to ensure our customers are not confronted with phishing websites.  We keep our database up to date with the latest phishing scams.

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