Question Can just visiting a website cause a virus or malware on your system?

[OnlyAlex]

I visited a website called processchecker.com earlier which seemed a bit dodge to me, I didn't download anything but I am a bit of a noob and am worrying whether just by visiting a website it can cause a virus or malware on your system? Thanks! I have Chrome up to date and have anti-virus installed.

 

[rgd1101]

yes. if there are zero-day. but they are uncommon

 

[OnlyAlex]

yes. if there are zero-day. but they are uncommon

Thank you, do you have any advice on what I should do next? The website looked a bit dodge as I said, but no pop ups or anything or ads on the page. I ran a security scan and that came back fine. Should I reset Windows?

 

[hotaru.hino]

Thank you, do you have any advice on what I should do next? The website looked a bit dodge as I said, but no pop ups or anything or ads on the page. I ran a security scan and that came back fine. Should I reset Windows?

If that's what helps you sleep better at night, then sure.

 

[OnlyAlex]

If that's what helps you sleep better at night, then sure.

Thank you, I’m just not sure what would be a proportionate response and whether it is needed.

 

[stonecarver]

Just thank that were not back in the early days of Windows xp. All you had to do was put a fresh XP install on your PC and connect your network cable and boom you were taken down.

The trick was fresh XP, service pack 1 followed by service pack 2 and then, only then, connect to the internet.

Things are a lot better nowadays, Windows does a way better job keeping you safe up to a point. Just clear your internet cache for Chrome and you should be fine,

 

[OnlyAlex]

Just thank that were not back in the early days of Windows xp. All you had to do was put a fresh XP install on your PC and connect your network cable and boom you were taken down.

The trick was fresh XP, service pack 1 followed by service pack 2 and than only than connect to internet.

Things are a lot better now days Windows does a way better job keeping you safe up to a point. Just clear your internet cache for Chrome and you should be fine,

Thank you so much!

 

[Ralston18]

Also, you do not need third party tools.

Process Explorer (Microsoft, free).

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

 

[OnlyAlex]

Also, you do not need third party tools.

Process Explorer (Microsoft, free).

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

Thank you for the information.

 

[geofelt]

As another option, use system restore to reset your pc back to a time before the suspected issue.

 

[OnlyAlex]

As another option, use system restore to reset your pc back to a time before the suspected issue.

Thank you, I will do that if there is an issue. Many thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

While not impossible, it is unlikely that simply visiting a website will infect your system.

As your AV tools show no issues, you're fine.

 

[OnlyAlex]

While not impossible, it is unlikely that simply visiting a website will infect your system.

As your AV tools show no issues, you're fine.

Thank you for your help.