Can you get viruses while operating in Safe Mode with Networking?
- Thread starter Freman
- Start date
8 ball says "yes"
The word "safe" refers to the stability of the system. Only the basic files and drivers that are necessary to run Windows and enable networking are started. It's not some form of firewall, antivirus or virtual machine environment.
The word "safe" refers to the stability of the system. Only the basic files and drivers that are necessary to run Windows and enable networking are started. It's not some form of firewall, antivirus or virtual machine environment.
Yup. In fact, Safe Mode is probably less safe in that regard, because it wouldn't have started up any virus scanners you have installed. Running in Safe Mode with networking is probably a bad idea, in general.
Safe mode is the old Windows 3.x "Standard Mode" as opposed to the normal condition which was referred to as "386 Enhanced Mode". Basically the memory management isn't running, and any of the drivers and applications that have dependencies on that mode aren't loaded. This may very well include your anti-virus, firewall application, etc.
Safe mode is not an extra condom for safety, and Deuterostome's Magic 8 Ball has spoken.
AG
Safe mode is not an extra condom for safety, and Deuterostome's Magic 8 Ball has spoken.
AG
What everyone else has said.
Also, though, if you do acquire an infection while in Safe Mode, it may not be able to run services it needs to do its thing. So you may not end up effectively infected until you reboot in Normal Mode. That will vary from virus to virus, though.
If you think you've picked something up, and you can do it, it would be best to run an antivirus sweep in Safe Mode, with a current antivirus proggie, before restarting in Normal Mode.
Also, though, if you do acquire an infection while in Safe Mode, it may not be able to run services it needs to do its thing. So you may not end up effectively infected until you reboot in Normal Mode. That will vary from virus to virus, though.
If you think you've picked something up, and you can do it, it would be best to run an antivirus sweep in Safe Mode, with a current antivirus proggie, before restarting in Normal Mode.
