Can viruses be spread via VGA cables?

Are VGA cables too "dumb" to spread malware from one device to another device?

Background: I'm giving a talk tomorrow, and the laptop I'm presenting on will be connected via VGA cable to another computer that'll be recording the presentation as well as passing the signal to a projector. Not that I have any reason to believe my computer or the other computer are likely to have viruses...

Solution 1:

No, they cannot be spread via VGA.

Solution 2:

In theory, yes, it might be possible for a display to exploit a weakness in the computer's display drivers via the DDC backlink. In parctice, I have never heard about such an exploit being used.

Solution 3:

The answer given by Toby is correct, under normal circumstances you would not be able to get a virus from a vga connection..... but this does given me an idea for a funny office prank.

Open up a dvi-vga adapter and incorporate a device that flashes the word virus on the screen for 2-5 frames every 5 minutes.

Instant Classic