Eli5 why are computer viruses so rare now? Back then you can get a fleet of viruses just by clicking a link

270 views

Eli5 why are computer viruses so rare now? Back then you can get a fleet of viruses just by clicking a link

In: 6

5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Software is made with a lot more attention to security. Clicking a link and getting a virus relies on your browser having a “chink in its armour” where some accidental wrong code causes something to happen that’s not supposed to happen. Clicking a link isn’t supposed to make anything happen outside the browser. Browsers are made more carefully with less duct tape, and they wear more than one layer of armour (so-called exploit mitigations, or defense in depth)

You can still get a virus by downloading a .exe file and running it, though. Less people get software by Googling it and downloading a .exe. It’s all app stores this and game launchers that.

You are viewing 1 out of 5 answers, click here to view all answers.