Do you need antivirus software for wii internet?

Answer 1

How Is the Wii Protected From Viruses on the Internet?By Matt Fregoe, eHow Contributor

The Nintendo Wii gaming system offers not only online gaming capabilities, but also an available internet browser channel. Like any common Web-browsing experience, there can be the possibility of logging onto some malicious websites. The Wii video game system does not provide any direct anti-virus software, and neither does any third-party software production. What the Wii does provide is a safe system construction that severely limits the ability to get a virus or encounter malicious software from browsing the Web.

1. Basics

   • The Nintendo Wii has a operating system all its own with a system that lets the user add different plug-in applications called "channels." Channels can only be downloaded and installed via the "Wii Shop" Channel, which is operated and run solely by Nintendo. With this sort of system, Nintendo keeps users safe by keeping track of all that can be downloaded to the system.

   Browser Security

   • One of the downloadable channels is the "Internet Browser" application created by Opera, the same well-known browser application producer for personal computers. The Opera browser for the Wii allows users to browse the Web, but does not allow any files to be downloaded directly to the system. This security means that a malicious website would not be able to download content automatically to your Wii without your knowledge. The Wii system does not allow any uploading or downloading of files unless mandated by Nintendo's approval. Symantec, the company that created Norton Anti-Virus, made note in a 2007 report that although the Wii is a fairly safe system, it is still vulnerable to phishing attacks, as the opera browser for Wii does not support any anti-phishing software within its system.

   Proprietary Software

   • Another reason that getting a virus on a Nintendo Wii is unlikely is the fact that the Wii runs on its own specific software. Most viruses or other malicious software is created specifically for a certain operating system. Since more people in the world use Microsoft Windows, most viruses are created targeting those users, due to Windows' popularity. A virus created for Windows computers would not work on the Wii system software. Creating a virus specifically for the Wii is not only time-consuming, but also has little incentive due to how few people the virus would affect.

   Vulnerabilities

   • Despite the fact that the Wii has quite a few ways to protect itself against malicious attacks, it still has some ways to be exploited. As the report by Symantec in 2007 said: "Symantec has recently been using the Nintendo Wii to demonstrate that the vulnerabilities that exist on one platform are very likely to exist to some extent on other platforms such as games consoles. Our Security Response Operations Team identified that there was a vulnerability within the Adobe Flash Player on the Windows platform. Then they demonstrated that it worked on the Macintosh, and then finally they attempted it with the Wii as well and we found that the Wii was just as susceptible to the same vulnerability." This report shows that while the Wii has implemented security on its own system it must take measures against third-party threats and Adobe Flash Player vulnerabilities in the future.

   Hacking Tests

   • In 2009 a group of hackers took on the challenge of hacking into a Wii's system software and made a few discoveries. The first was an undocumented processor chip which was so secretive that even some Wii developers did not know its role in Wii security, a serious plus in keeping hackers out. To keep piracy at bay Nintendo has also released patches to their existing system of purchasing games legally running smoothly as well. Finally it was found that DVD playback was disabled on the Wii system but available to activate, although they brought up the issue with Nintendo, the Wii has yet to see DVD playback enabled. The hacking tests proved that Nintendo has not only thought of system security but made it a priority to keep users safe as well as their software, as it should be.