Dangerous Websites

[Lance(HAOH)]

Could visiting some websites,especially illegal ones,make any changes to your computer,minor or major?Especially to the registry,internet connection settings,network settings,etc. If the answer is no,I have a comment to add.I read this information on MacAfee Site Advisor.It said that one website,which is an illegal one made harmful changes to their computer when they were doing a review on that website.Why is this so?Could someone please help me answer this?Thanks!

[goughy000]

well this is mainly how viruses get on your computer. From malicious code in websites changing the security settings to be less secure on the dangerous website and give it permission to download files to your computer, these files can be exe which can make whatever change they want at the end of the day

[Lance(HAOH)]

If I have an antivirus software,would I be fine?And my antivirus softwares did not detect any viruses in my computer after I supposedly visted one of those websties.I did a full system scan.How would you explain this?

[goughy000]

your antivirus software can only detect viruses it knows about, it can guess at ones it dosn't know about and appear to be acting like viruses but many slip through. If your antivirus software could detect any virus then no one would pay the subscription fee...

[MoNsTeReNeRgY22]

Just because you visted a suppoused "bad" site doesn't mean you are going to get infected. It depends on how the site works, and if it has drive by downloads, etc.

It also depends on your AV, some are better at detecting various things than others. What anti-virus are you using?

[Lance(HAOH)]

I am using Avast Home edition.Virus database version 081202.Number of viruses listed are 216166.By the way,would the site make any changes to my computer,if I did not download anything from that site but just visit that site,especially if it is an illegal site?Especially to the registry,internet connection settings,network settings,etc.?I also clear my cookies,browsing history,saved passwords,etc. after I exit my browser.Should I be fine after visiting this kind of site?

[goughy000]

it all depends on the individual site, it's hard to tell but yes it is possible after following all the precautions you do.

When you say "i also clear my ....... after i exit my browser"
The "after i exit my browser" says it all, any damage done to your computers settings is already done lol

[Lance(HAOH)]

What damage can it do to my computer if I do not download any files into my computer?Furthermore,my security settings is set to medium high.My privacy settings is too, set to a safe level.

[goughy000]

basically it shouldn't be allowed to make any changes at all and your security settings won't change this as it makes changes to your settings via bugs in your browser, not because your security settings allow it to.

By using bugs in your browser it has been possible in the past for websites to take control of ANY aspect of your computer through internet explorer and sometimes even firefox.

And how can you be so sure you have not downloaded any files from the site, by just visiting it you have downloaded the home page (html) and by using bugs in your browser it can easily download files without you knowing

[Lance(HAOH)]

So,what are the symptoms that my computer is infected?Or rather,how can I check whether my computer is infected or not?