---
title: Jericho's Cybersecurity Glossary | Drive-by Attacks
description: A drive-by attack is a type of cyberattack in which a user is unknowingly infected with malware by visiting a compromised website. No user interaction is required for the infection to occur.
---

[Jericho Security | Glossary](http://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary)

# [Jericho's Cybersecurity Glossary | Drive-by Attacks](http://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary/drive-by-attacks)

 Written by [Jericho Security Team](http://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary/author/jericho-security-team) | September 27, 2024

#### *Definition:*

A drive-by attack is a type of cyberattack in which a user is unknowingly infected with malware by visiting a compromised website. No user interaction is required for the infection to occur.

#### *Use Cases:*

- Used by attackers to distribute malware through legitimate websites that have been compromised.
- Employed in phishing campaigns to trick users into visiting malicious websites that execute drive-by downloads.

#### *Related Terms:*

- [Malware](https://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary/malware)
- Exploit Kit
- [Phishing](https://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary/phishing)
- [Ransomware](https://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary/ransomware)

#### *Questions and Answers:*

- **How does a drive-by attack work?**In a drive-by attack, attackers inject malicious code into a legitimate website. When a user visits the site, the code exploits vulnerabilities in the user’s browser or plugins to install malware.
- **What are the signs of a drive-by attack?**Symptoms may include unusual browser behavior, slow performance, and the sudden appearance of unfamiliar files or programs on a device.
- **How can users protect against drive-by attacks?**Users can protect against drive-by attacks by keeping browsers and plugins up to date, enabling pop-up blockers, and avoiding suspicious websites.

[View full post](http://www.jerichosecurity.com/glossary/drive-by-attacks)

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