Yes, a virus can be embedded into a file or picture posted on a website, using a technique called steganography, which allows malicious code to be hidden within seemingly normal images or documents, making it difficult to detect by traditional security measures; however, simply viewing the image on a website usually won't trigger the virus, and additional interaction like downloading or clicking on a specific part of the image might be needed to activate the malicious code.
- How it works:
The malicious code is embedded within the image's pixel data, altering the image slightly but not noticeably to the naked eye.
- Potential dangers:
When a user downloads and opens the infected image, the hidden code can be extracted and executed on their system, leading to various malware activities like data theft, system disruption, or further infections.
- Detection challenges:
Antivirus software may not always detect steganography-embedded malware, especially if the technique is well-executed.
