Cybersecurity Glossary
Drive by Download
Malware installed simply by visiting a compromised web page.
What Drive by Download means
A drive by download exploits a flaw in the browser or a plugin so that merely loading a page installs software. Legitimate sites are used as the vehicle after being compromised, and malicious advertising served through ad networks reaches even well known publishers.
Why Drive by Download matters for small businesses and nonprofits
This defeats the advice to only visit trusted sites, because the trusted site is the delivery mechanism. Browsers have become far more resistant, which makes prompt browser updating one of the highest value habits you can enforce.
What to do about Drive by Download
- Keep browsers updating automatically and restart them regularly so updates apply
- Use a filtering resolver that blocks known malicious domains
- Deploy an ad blocker, which removes a significant delivery channel
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