drive-by download

[ drahyv-bahy doun-lohd ]

noun

, Digital Technology.

1. the installation of a virus or malware onto a computer or mobile device without the owner’s knowledge, occurring when a compromised website or email is merely viewed, without having to click on a link therein.

drive-by download

noun

1. an incidence of an unwanted program being automatically downloaded to a computer, often without the user's knowledge

Word History and Origins

Origin of drive-by download¹

First recorded in 2000–05