Can A Ps4 Get A Virus? 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, there’s a good chance that you’ll know about the millions of viruses, spyware, and other malicious software out there that can take control of your computer and wreak havoc with your files. However, the PS4 is not just another computer – it’s also a games console. As such, it’s probably not something you think is likely to get infected with malware or viruses. However – much like any other device connected to the internet – it has its vulnerabilities. Fortunately, this article will explain everything you need to know about whether or not a PS4 can get a virus and what precautions you should take to reduce the likelihood of this happening.

Can A Ps4 Get A Virus?

A computer virus is a piece of malicious code that is designed to harm your computer or steal data from it. It can replicate itself, spread from computer to computer, and disable computers or data. With this in mind, the simple answer to the question “can a PS4 get a virus?” is yes. However, it’s important to note that viruses are distributed through files and downloads. If a computer is connected to the internet, then it can be infected by malicious software.

What Do You Need To Know About Viruses On Consoles? 

1. As we’ve already touched on, consoles are kept disconnected from the internet. This is done to prevent hackers from accessing the PS4 and PS4 Pro’s online services. While this protects against malicious software being downloaded onto the console, it does mean that your console is less protected against viruses. So – just like a computer – if you happened to come across a virus on a console, it could potentially wreak havoc with your files. 
2. Whereas a computer can be easily cleaned up, a console can’t – and it’s likely that data will be lost. And, as we’ve already established, it’s not just computer viruses that can infect a console. There are many viruses that can infect a PS4 and cause it to freeze, crash, or even refuse to power on.
3. There are two main types of viruses that can be spread through the PlayStation Network: Trojan horses and rootkits. A Trojan horse is a piece of malicious software that is disguised as a harmless file. When it’s downloaded, it can then be used to take control of your system and use it for its own purposes. For example, it could install new software onto your computer without your permission or allow access to sensitive data that you thought was protected.
4. A rootkit is similar to a Trojan horse, but instead of disguising itself as an innocent file, it disguises itself as part of the operating system – often in the form of a kernel extension (the code that runs your operating system). Rootkits are designed to hide from antivirus software and can be used to gain access to sensitive data on your computer or give you remote control over your computer. However, with the PS4, there’s no way for this kind of malware to get on the console.

How To Protect Your Ps4 From Malware And Viruses? 

Keep Your PS4 Updated

The first line of defense against any online threats is ensuring that your PS4 is fully up to date. As soon as a new PS4 update is released it’s important to install it as soon as possible. This is because new PS4 updates often contain security patches for newly discovered bugs and viruses. An up-to-date PS4 is less likely to be affected by a cyber threat, so it’s well worth making sure that yours always has the latest software installed. If you’re not sure how to update your PS4, check out our article on the subject by clicking here.

Don’t Click On Suspicious Links

Links to malicious websites are a common way for malware to infect computers and other devices. Unfortunately, there are plenty of scammers and spammers out there who will try to trick you into visiting their site by clicking on a link that looks like it’s from a legitimate source. The PS4’s web browser is a fully featured program that’s very similar to the one found on a computer. Unfortunately, this means that it’s just as vulnerable to malicious links as a computer browser. If you regularly click on links from emails or websites then there’s a risk that you’ll end up on a malicious site. Luckily there are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe. You can set the PS4 web browser to warn you if you’re about to visit a potentially malicious site. You can also set the browser to ask you whether you want to proceed to the site anyway.

Install Antivirus Software

There are a number of antivirus programs available for computers and other devices, and they are an excellent way to protect yourself against malware and viruses. While the PS4 comes with a built-in low-level antivirus system, some of the more robust antivirus programs offer extra features like real-time scanning and website blocking. These features make it much harder for malicious software to infect your PS4. If you want to be as safe as possible then installing an antivirus program is a very good idea. Unfortunately, not all antivirus programs are created equal. Some antivirus programs are better than others at protecting against online threats – so make sure that you research your antivirus options carefully.

Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN is a type of software that encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address. This makes it much harder for malicious people to track you online. A VPN is a great tool for protecting your PS4 from viruses and other online threats. It also has a few other useful features too – such as being able to unblock certain websites that are blocked in certain countries. A VPN can be installed on your PS4 as well as on any other devices that you want to protect. This means that you can protect all of your devices with a single VPN subscription. Unfortunately, not all VPNs are created equally. It’s important to choose a reputable VPN service that won’t sell your data.

Enable Disc Signature Enforcement

Sony has included a feature in the latest PS4 update that can help to protect your system against malicious software. This feature is called “disc signature enforcement” and it’s designed to prevent software with a modified signature from being installed on your PS4. Unfortunately, disc signature enforcement is turned off by default. This means that malicious software can still be installed on your PS4 if you don’t turn this feature on. To enable disc signature enforcement, simply go to the “Settings” menu on your PS4 and select “System”. Once in the “System” menu scroll down to “Automatic Downloads” and select “Enable”. If you have a PS4 Pro, select “Download Manually” instead.

How To Detect And Remove Infected Apps? 

1. If you had your PS4 connected to the internet, then you might come across a virus on a console. While this might not happen to you, it does happen to thousands of people every year. 
2. If you did end up with a virus on your console, there are a few ways you can try and remove it. If the virus is preventing you from accessing the PS4, then you may be able to solve the issue by removing your PS4’s network settings and resetting it to factory settings.
3. Alternatively, you can install a program such as WinMMBuster. This will help you detect and remove any malicious software from your console.

How To Ensure Your Ps4 Is Safe From Malware?

• Now that we’ve looked at how to protect your console from harmful viruses, it’s important to talk about how you can ensure your PS4 is safe from malware. If you are going to be connected to the internet, then it is essential that you use a network firewall. This will protect against hackers and help to keep your network safe. 
• If you are going to be downloading apps, then make sure you only download them from the official PlayStation Store. Other apps on the internet might seem legitimate, but they might be infected.
•  If you do find that you have downloaded a malicious app, then you should try and remove it. If the app is preventing you from accessing your console, then you should reset your PS4 to factory settings.

Conclusion

Although it’s unlikely, there is a chance that your PS4 can get a virus. Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from getting infected. By keeping your PS4 offline, only downloading apps from the PlayStation Store, and installing a firewall, you can make sure that your console is safe from harmful viruses.