What it is
An exploit kit is a malicious toolkit on a booby-trapped or hacked website. When you land there, it quietly checks your browser and plugins for known bugs and, if it finds one, uses it to install malware - ransomware, trojans, keyloggers, you name it.
How it works
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Lure: ads, search results, or redirects send you to a hidden landing page.
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Fingerprint: the kit profiles your browser/OS to pick the best exploit.
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Exploit: it triggers a vulnerability (browser, PDF reader, media codec, etc.).
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Payload: drops and runs malware - often without a single click.
What you might notice
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Sudden redirects or a page that loads, pauses, then crashes
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The browser freezes and a new file appears in Downloads
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Security tool alerts right after visiting an unfamiliar site
If you suspect exposure
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Disconnect from the internet to stop follow-on downloads.
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Run a full anti-malware scan; quarantine, reboot, and scan again.
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Clear downloads/cache and remove shady extensions.
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Update your browser, OS, and common runtimes immediately.
Prevent it
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Keep browsers/OS auto-updated; retire legacy plugins and toolbars.
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Install software only from official sources; avoid “free” codec/update prompts.
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Use DNS filtering and a reputable EDR/anti-malware.
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Consider browser isolation/sandboxing for unknown links.
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For teams: enable web filtering/WAF, block known bad domains, and run least-privilege endpoints.