Can you get a virus/malware/spyware simply from using google images (Not clicking anything)?

[ThePCNooby]

I'm curious because I've used Google images before but I never really thought of this until recently when I started to look more into what these sorts of things can do to your PC and it's a bit of a concern to not know the answer. So my question is, can you get a virus from Google Images or is it similar to YouTube in the fact that they re-compile the images, and only show you their version unless you click on the image?

 

[Tom Tancredi]

Technically a virus can be transmitted through any means that a file is sent to your computer (you look at Google images, it sends a copy of the file to your computer first, then from the cache the browser shows it on your screen). Technically the world will be consumed in fire as the sun will definately expand out to about Saturn before imploding back on itself, but that is well after the surface of the Earth was ripped away by the extreme temperatures.

Realistically your getting overworked about it and isn't a concern. Your more then likely going to do some thing 'stupid' by social engineering (Ohhh by the email said ILoveYOU) then anything else. Run Malwarebytes once a week, keep your antivirus up to date, and if it looks too good ot be true, then stay away from it. Remember just because that guy in the dark alley says he is going to give you $100 rollex watch for only $5 doesn't mean he is legit, it is legit, and most likely something won't go terribly wrong; SAME for the Internet.

 

[manofchalk]

In a word, no.
If Google had their services spreading computer virus' that easily, you would hear about it pretty fast and very loud.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Not unless your browser is very old and very badly coded, such that a mere request and displaying an image can cause it to execute foreign code.