Is it possible to get a virus from a website?
Internet security can be confusing. It’s a complicated topic, but most people and most business owners have realized that it is important. There is a lot of information available about how to protect yourself and your company online. However, there are also much misinformation and incorrect information.
People can feel confused and left with many unanswered questions, such as “Can you hack a website?”. This article will clarify the situation.
Is it possible to hack a website by simply visiting it?
It seems that the question of “can you hack a website just by visiting it” is a common one on the internet. It is possible to hack websites by visiting yes. The short answer is only part of the story, as it often happens. The entire story sheds a lot of light on internet safety.
Drive-by downloads are a real threat
Drive-by downloading is a type of download that is initiated by someone viewing a website without their active consent. These are still uncommon methods of spreading malware. Drive-by downloading can only be successful if the user allows automatic downloads. This is bad from an IT security standpoint.
The real answer to the question “Can you get hacked by just visiting a website?” is “probably no, provided you take precautions to protect yourself.” This is the best answer to many questions about IT security. Here’s a guideline to help you protect your business.
Protect your website, mobile devices, and computers from malware by investing in anti-malware software
A cloud-based, all-in-one anti-malware solution that integrates a firewall is the best choice for your mobile devices and computers. A reputable provider will offer you all the protection you need, at a cost that is affordable for small businesses.
Your website will be protected if you protect your mobile devices and computers. This will make it more difficult for hackers to steal login details from the devices that connect to your back-end. However, you should still protect your website with a robust vulnerability scanner.
Although different products may have different functionality, all decent products should include an antimalware scanner as well as a web application firewall. They are designed to be used on websites and not mobile computers.
Advertisements: Be cautious
Ad-blocking technology is a standard feature in anti-malware software for mobile devices and computers. Adverts are a well-known tool for spreading malware. They are especially a source for drive-by downloads that see you can be hacked by simply visiting a website.
Adverts are so popular because malicious actors use them. This is because internet ads work by agencies purchasing advertising space on websites and then filling them with their choice of adverts. Although the agencies are supposed to screen all adverts that they accept, the overwhelming volume of malicious advertising ( Malvertising ) online shows that they don’t always do a good job.
This is understandable as these agencies must process a lot of ads to make a profit. This opens up the possibility for malicious actors to place adverts on reputable sites and leverage their credibility.
People surfing the internet now use ad-blocking software to protect themselves. Website owners are also having to consider whether to allow adverts to be placed on their sites.
SMBs and businesses must consider all sources of revenue. However, adverts are often the lowest source of income. It raises the question of whether the reputational and SEO risks of being a potential host for malware are worth it.
Be aware of the dangers associated with linking
If you use a strong anti-malware program, you will be alerted before clicking on any dangerous links. This is however not a guarantee. It is important to verify before you click. Use a URL encoder or a URL expander if necessary.
You should keep an eye on the backlinks to your website and remove any questionable links. Although they are not a security risk, they can harm your SEO.