Drive-by download

Updated: 11/18/2022 by Computer Hope
Laptop downloading from the Internet.

Drive-by download describes when a program or advertisement is downloaded to a computer without the user's consent or by tricking the user. This action is often achieved using malware that has already infected the computer and is being done to get a more up-to-date version.

Note

Unless malicious software or an add-on is installed in the browser, no browser downloads anything without the user's consent. Additionally, if something were mistakenly downloaded, it would still need to be installed before it could run on the computer.

Download, Security terms