Can a infected device infect another device on the same network?

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Braiboo99 Jul 23, 2024 @ 5:50am

I was wondering if a infected device could potentially infect another device on the same network, for example a PS5 console, or at least give them a way to hack into it?

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Showing 1-6 of 6 comments

Omega Jul 23, 2024 @ 6:09am

Such malware is called a worm. Yes, it can. These types of attacks are extremely rare nowadays and of the highest priority should they be discovered.

And although not impossibe, malware typically does not jump between devices types.

AD Jul 23, 2024 @ 6:36am

Yes, it's possible. Especially older versions of Windows (like Windows XP) were at risk for it because of vulnerabilities in the file sharing. If you're interested, look up EternalBlue on youtube.

It should be noted that while these attacks are unlikely today, it's technically possible that they can use the cloud to achieve the same result. Had some malware that would follow me around after reinstall and it turned out it had found its way into a OneNote I was using. Each time I accessed OneNote, it would download an reinfect the device I was using. I'm sure something similar can happen with OneDrive or other cloud services. Fortunately, in my case it turned out to be a false positive, just a file I added at some point for some stupid reason without checking that Windows Defender was sure it was the worst thing since WW2 once it checked it, but it wasn't actually dangerous. Either way, I guess it's something to look out for, since it could technically be used to spread malware.

Last edited by AD; Jul 23, 2024 @ 6:40am

Iron Knights Jul 23, 2024 @ 4:57pm

Yes it can, nothing is as compromised as Win 10 & more so Win 11, but I would never call a PC a device. As for a virus that was designed for Sony system going to an MS System, entirely possible, but there are some unlikely compatibility issues. Either the effect on the Sony system will be minimal, but it will pass it on, or the effect on Sony is as programmed, but doesn't do well on MS Windows.