Can certain Websites Download Viruses?

[browneyedgirl]

I had a weird experience a couple weeks ago that still puzzles me........
I was on a Cartoon Doll site--clean&legal--and all of a sudden a small(about 2 inches long)bar popped up, and underneath it, it says,"Downloading virus". The tiny access bar inside was 1/3 way across before I exited out of there! I didn't know what to think!
The PC I am using works fine, so I do not think it was sucessful in downloading the virus. I asked my son about this matter&he said, "Yes, some sites do spread viruses but usually they do not let you know&they are usually of a questionable nature--not doll sites!"

So, what gives?
Has anything like this happened to anyone else with any websites?
I am too scared to go back to that site, needless to say.......
Maybe the one who had the site did not want anyone dragging&dropping their images?
But, why would a person want to give someone who visits their site a virus?

[NordicStorm]

That sounds more like an ad for antivirus software than an actual virus.
And yes, there are security leaks in IE and whatnot that can be exploited for distributing viruses via websites.

[browneyedgirl]

No, it was not an ad---it was on the page itself, among the printed text--it was that small--if I had not been observant, I would've missed it. I had never encountered that kind of thing before! It was just very small horizontal access bar thingy--with a green line in the center. And it was moving, so I believe it was downloading something.
I've heard of porno sites&things of that nature giving viruses, but like Vic said--they don't let a person know. Then, a few weeks later the PC starts running shitty as the virus does its dirty work.
So, I just don't know what to think, but I'm not going back to that particular site again!

[htcdude]

As NS said, probably an Ad site...if something was downloaded you would have noticed it by now.

[cliff]

That sounds more like an ad for antivirus software than an actual virus..

+1
@BEG : Usually, when a website installs a virus on your computer, do not expect it to warm you! I mean, never trust flashing pop-up window. The best (only ?) protection is a up-to-dated antivirus!
btw, do you still use that WebTV thing ?

[Heiserich]

I'm very greatful to my antivirus-programm (BitDefender) for I opened an email some days ago (it looked quite unsuspicious to me, nothing like that "THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION" from some bank or "Enlarge your pEn!s"-stuff ) from the homepage of my mail-provider (I don't use outlook or something like that) and Firefox immediately started to download a file without waiting for confirmation, which was the Sobersomething-worm.
BitDefender preventet it from spreading to my computer, but considering that I use a firewall and firefox is believed to be more secure, it troubled me a little...

[browneyedgirl]

That sounds more like an ad for antivirus software than an actual virus..

+1
@BEG : Usually, when a website installs a virus on your computer, do not expect it to warm you! I mean, never trust flashing pop-up window. The best (only ?) protection is a up-to-dated antivirus!
btw, do you still use that WebTV thing ?

Not right now because my keyboard messed up&I am waiting for the new one to arrive via snailmail. I am on a PC my son rigged up for me. I really like it and even after I start using Webtv again I'll probably still use the PC sometimes because its a Hell of alot faster!

[htcdude]

I only have AVG anti-virus on my PC i'm surprised i haven't ahd any viruses!

[The Enigma]

BEG, that really sounds like an ad trying to first scare you and then go on selling you a security application. Also it looks like it was a bit too effective in the first act, while you run away before the salesman act had begun.

There are plenty of ads around the web, made with poor taste and exploiting people's lack of knowledge about how computers actually work. As the guys above already said, viruses have no intention to tell anyone that "excuse me, but I'm going to pollute your computer in a minute". Those sneak in and install silently, but usually the route is an attachment in an email.

Only a handful of viruses are written to exploit browsers' (read: mainly Internet Explorer) vulnerabilities and are capable of installing themselves directly from a web page - if certain settings in the system are open. If all the latest updates from Microsoft are installed, (in IE click Tools/Windows update) then the chances for a real virus installing from a website are more like theoretical.