Can we get a virus by allowing an External Protocol Request in Chrome?

Question

i try to import data to postgres with aqua data studio but it can't read font how to solve this issue

Solution

Its about as safe as launching any other third party application to run an arbitrary file.

Lets say you go to www.dodgysite.notreal, and you get a popup asking you to run a external application without prompting, hit do nothing, and run like hell. The worst case scenario here is you end up launching an application with a known vulnerability, and your system is compromised through that.

On the other hand, this will happen if you launch any filetype not handled by chrome or explicitly stated as being safe. Its just a sanity check type warning not to run random crap. As such, as long as you're actually clicking and running a magnet link, from a reasonably trustworthy site, you should be safe.

Comments

[cutrightjm]

Don't think so. I think it is referring to the torrent its self, which like to have viruses.. I believe that the downloading of the torrent is what it is considering a potential attack

[Pacerier]

@ekaj I mean assuming the torrented file itself is clean, is launching it through a magnet link a potential attack zone?

[Pacerier]

The image does shows the link requested (magnet:?xt=urn:), I was wondering is it possible that there is something else linked instead of a torrent file?

[Thalys]

Its about the same. If its a non magnet file link thats opened, your torrent client will just barf on it, and refuse to have anything to do with it, really

[Rhys]

thanks for your first answer! Just a tip though: While past experience is great, always try to answer the question directly as possible when using an answer. I'd recommend using a comment for such past experiences.

[Pacerier]

how do we tell if it is targeting another app besides the expected uTorrent magnet links? (For example, I wouldn't want to allow it to run any other app besides the one linked to .torrent)

[Pacerier]

@bic, Ok... but if there was a virus it is not going to be so easily seen...

[user3001046]

thank for reply, but i done it with Navicat tools And i think your solution can solve this issue, Thank