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    Protection from malware: Downloading custom Content

    «1
    BookworkgirlBookworkgirl Posts: 129 Member
    edited August 2017 in General Mods Discussion
    Why have I put up this Post?
    I trusted the author content too much and It backfired so I have concluded that its now good to be paranoid so incidents like this do not happen again! I hope it will help you all and that you can protect yourself and let others know so they don't just click a link and download it with out scanning! Its okay to be paranoid if it means hours of saving yourself from disaster!

    Its even dangerous downloading an infected file cause your system will have already been infected so using a sandbox to download the file and scanning it is much safer or even submit it online to scan.

    Please post any site here that you have found to be infected

    Sites infected
    • MW:JS:GEN2?malware.generic_jsobfuscator.1.2
      sims4luxury(dot) blogspot.com.au/

    Main site ok but the links I found were infected
    • sims4updates dot net
    • Malware: MW:BLK:2:
      mio-sims(dot)blogspot.com/2015/10/updated-plants.html

    Dangerous Blacklisted site
    Sites that are safe
    Excellent examples of protection malware videos
    Here are some very good videos to show you what will give you some good protection from the nasties malwares you might come across. Its not 100% protection but enough on those accidental occasions you find a rogue malware, virus, trojan, etc.

    For most of us we would only need Comodo internet security free version it has everything we need so our sims are happy! But if you want extra protection then shadown defender is the way to go!

    Who to ask for help if I got infected?
    Check the forums below and they can help you or post on these forums too if anyone can help!

    Kaspersky the best paid antivirus software - Use trial if your system is infected
    https://www.itechtics.com/kaspersky-2017-offline-installers-download-links/

    How do I know if my computer is infected with a virus
    http://support.eset.com/kb2563/?locale=en_US

    More detail on infected system
    http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-know-if-your-computer-infected.htm

    Comodo Internet security free
    https://antivirus.comodo.com/free-internet-security.php

    Sandboxie
    https://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?DownloadSandboxie

    Shadow defender
    http://www.shadowdefender.com/

    Websites to scan files or links
    https://sitecheck.sucuri.net

    Comodo Firewall 10 against the Serpent - Free - Best
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2dqv5V51bU

    Best browser Malware protection
    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/600902/sandboxie-absolute-best-browser-malwarevirus-protection/

    Sandboxie VS Light virtualization for internet browsing
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/sandboxie-vs-light-virtualization-for-internet-browsing.390002/

    Paid programs and their free alternatives
    https://malwaretips.com/threads/paid-programs-and-their-free-alternatives.31259/#post-238933

    SandboxIE vs. Shadow Defender differences?
    https://www.howtogeek.com/169139/sandboxes-explained-how-theyre-already-protecting-you-and-how-to-sandbox-any-program/

    Shadown defender Review and Test
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=qS6fiBF_C7w

    Shadow defender vs selected malware - Has music so it can be turn off and read text
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=_cIy80Wkce4

    Avast Free vs Ransome test - Left some ransome ware
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=Vb9JsFyJnfs

    Malwarebytes Anti Ransomware Beta 8 - Sub optimal
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=NeDrsiflQt0

    Comodo, Sandboxie, and Shade vs an Exploit - Summary 4:21
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=UztAMQCdQms

    These are some articles
    https://www.howtogeek.com/187037/how-to-scan-and-repair-a-badly-infected-computer-from-outside-windows/

    https://www.howtogeek.com/173478/10-important-computer-security-practices-you-should-follow/

    https://www.howtogeek.com/143263/how-to-test-your-antivirus-firewall-browser-and-software-security/

    https://malwaretips.com/threads/how-to-avoid-malware.422/

    https://www.howtogeek.com/187037/how-to-scan-and-repair-a-badly-infected-computer-from-outside-windows/

    Setting up the Firewall For Maximum Security and Usability
    https://help.comodo.com/topic-72-1-451-4799-.html
    Post edited by Bookworkgirl on

    Comments

    • Options
      SimpkinSimpkin Posts: 7,425 Member
      lol cc sucks as I've always said
      Seasons toggle button in build mode poll. Vote now please! :)
    • Options
      BookworkgirlBookworkgirl Posts: 129 Member
      edited August 2017
      Deleted :)
      Post edited by Bookworkgirl on
    • Options
      SimpkinSimpkin Posts: 7,425 Member
      I am on topic. I'm sayin cc sucks that's why I never use. I've always said it ruins the game and now a computer aswell. There's plenty and plenty of evidence of it's malicious potential. Why anyone downloads or uses it is beyond me.
      Seasons toggle button in build mode poll. Vote now please! :)
    • Options
      SimburianSimburian Posts: 6,914 Member
      edited August 2017
      If you have Windows 10 you can download Microsoft's Official removal tool which is updated every month. 64 and 32 bit versions available. There are probably versions for previous OS which you can find on the official site. They come with the latest Updates. (one downloaded last Thursday/Fridayfor me). You have to use the very last one issued every time you do a check.

      https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/malicious-software-removal-tool-details.aspx

      The only thing one can do is to try to protect yourself from getting them in the first place with the latest security updates and a previously installed often updated program like the ones you mention..

      I use the free Spybot Search and Destroy from https://www.safer-networking.org/ update it every day and it doesn't allow them in. (so far and I'm paranoid about security).
    • Options
      princess_kaguyaprincess_kaguya Posts: 508 Member
      ive been downloading cc for a long time now and never got a virus, heck, i dont even have an antivirus on my computer. a good adblocker would simply do the work.
    • Options
      GalacticGalGalacticGal Posts: 28,570 Member
      Bookworkgirl wrote: »
      I am so very angry with certain sim creators loading their works with malware! Even sites you trust are just not trustworthy any more! It was my fault for not protecting my comp with heavy defenses.

      Perhaps this should be pin to warn others to avoid these dangerous cruel sites! So if you have sites you found with malware please list it here!

      Always scan the site with your software to check before clicking on any link!

      Please post any site here and i will let you know if they are infected or not!

      I got infected
      I got infected with a bad rookit virus that is hard to remove! Free virus software cannot remove it! I am working on it!

      Free virus software cannot protect you
      I have used Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, hitman root kit removal and it can't remove it.

      Please install protection: Free virus software is no good!

      Use the free trial installer
      https://www.itechtics.com/kaspersky-2017-offline-installers-download-links/

      Sites infected

      MW:JS:GEN2?malware.generic_jsobfuscator.1.2
      sims4luxury(dot) blogspot.com.au/

      Somes sites okay others no! You will get infected with a bad boot virus clicking on the wrong link!
      sims4updates dot net

      Malware: MW:BLK:2:
      mio-sims(dot)blogspot.com/2015/10/updated-plants.html

      I hope this helps others and if you have not scan your system please do!
      Please let others know so they don't get infected by other suspicious websites

      Sounds as if you need SpyHunter to remove the malware. It's not free, by any means and is costly, but it does the trick.
      You can download (free) all three volumes of my Night Whispers Star Trek Fanfiction here: http://galacticgal.deviantart.com/gallery/ You'll need to have a pdf reader. New websites: http://www.trekkiefanfiction.com/st-tos.php
      http://www.getfreeebooks.com/star-trek-original-series-fan-fiction-trilogy/
    • Options
      SimburianSimburian Posts: 6,914 Member
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      ive been downloading cc for a long time now and never got a virus, heck, i dont even have an antivirus on my computer. a good adblocker would simply do the work.

      Lucky you then. Windows 10 has it's own good (for a change) antivirus program in Windows Defender and that is good enough for most people. I have always found it better to be prepared. Using adblockers might mean that you cannot use some sites which depend on the revenue the adverts bring and that is a lot of news sites that I like to go to.
    • Options
      princess_kaguyaprincess_kaguya Posts: 508 Member
      Mchap353 wrote: »
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      ive been downloading cc for a long time now and never got a virus, heck, i dont even have an antivirus on my computer. a good adblocker would simply do the work.

      Lucky you then. Windows 10 has it's own good (for a change) antivirus program in Windows Defender and that is good enough for most people. I have always found it better to be prepared. Using adblockers might mean that you cannot use some sites which depend on the revenue the adverts bring and that is a lot of news sites that I like to go to.

      you can also modify your windows files so it blocks malware and ads automatically without needing an extension in your browser.
      its located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
    • Options
      plopppo2plopppo2 Posts: 3,420 Member
      VirusTotal is really good at mass processing AV engines at a file or URL, etc
      https://www.virustotal.com/#/home/upload

      When you download something, you can check it with VirusTotal - before you unpack it, etc.

      You can check links/URLs too.
    • Options
      SimpkinSimpkin Posts: 7,425 Member
      Mendota wrote: »
      Simpkin wrote: »
      I am on topic. I'm sayin cc plum that's why I never use. I've always said it ruins the game and now a computer aswell. There's plenty and plenty of evidence of it's malicious potential. Why anyone downloads or uses it is beyond me.

      You are being very unfair and unhelpful. I have used CC in all my sims games and I never had issues. It is just a matter of sticking to safe sites. Mod the Sims being one example. It is true that unfortunately many creators try and use cheap free sites to host their content and therein lies the problem, but it is simply wrong for you to call CC plum and make fun of someone's misfortune. Just today I downloaded from MTS a canning station that allows you to make jams and jelly to sell and eat. It is done by a very gifted creator who custom content foods have really added to my game. And then there is MC commander that many use to add story progression and many other features to their game. These programmers give of their time and add much to the community and enjoyment of the game. If you choose to not use CC fine, but don't come and make derogatory comments.

      It's not derogatory, it's a fact cc and mods ruin the game. It's so common nowadays that when you have a problem and post about it the first thing you get told is to remove cc and mods. Like, how is that fair and helpful when I don't use any?
      All I meant was what do people expect then when they download this stuff. It's obvious that most of the time it's not gonna work cause it's not original game content by the actual game creators. No need to get mad at the cc creator, just yourself.
      Seasons toggle button in build mode poll. Vote now please! :)
    • Options
      LizzychicagoLizzychicago Posts: 873 Member
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      ive been downloading cc for a long time now and never got a virus, heck, i dont even have an antivirus on my computer. a good adblocker would simply do the work.

      Uh no, you've just been really lucky so far. To not have an antivirus is insane...unless you're on a Mac but even those need it now.
      Check my builds and Sims out on the Gallery, username Lizzychicago!
    • Options
      CinebarCinebar Posts: 33,618 Member
      edited August 2017
      Did you list the site that gave you the rootkit? I didn't see the site. A rootkit is much more than 'malware'. And for those claiming they have never gotten a rootkit or a virus and don't even have an anti virus/malware program installed..you wouldn't know it, now would you? Rootkits lay in wait to send those bots later. Those without any protection are probably being used to send other bots to other systems. If you can't find a way to remove a rootkit you should reformat your harddrive before it spreads any other infections into your system recovery.

      Try this stand alone remover.

      https://www.mcafee.com/us/downloads/free-tools/rootkitremover.aspx
      "Games Are Not The Place To Tell Stories, Games Are Meant To Let People Tell Their Own Stories"...Will Wright.
    • Options
      plopppo2plopppo2 Posts: 3,420 Member
      Securi SiteCheck does not like either of the links and suggests what the OP does:
      https://sitecheck.sucuri.net/
    • Options
      princess_kaguyaprincess_kaguya Posts: 508 Member
      GARYZGAL wrote: »
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      ive been downloading cc for a long time now and never got a virus, heck, i dont even have an antivirus on my computer. a good adblocker would simply do the work.

      Uh no, you've just been really lucky so far. To not have an antivirus is insane...unless you're on a Mac but even those need it now.

      its not really that crazy tbh, if your system is updated and you have a good adblock theres nothing to fear :p
    • Options
      littlemissgogolittlemissgogo Posts: 1,808 Member
      Some good insight and recommendations from this thread. Real bummer you got done like that by lousy creators. Super important to only use well-known and trusted sites. I don't even download anything hosted on mediafire personally. Custom content doesn't "ruin the game" either and that certainly isn't a "fact." Not sure why that even needs to be said. Hope OP can banish this malware.
      6riwm5.png
    • Options
      plopppo2plopppo2 Posts: 3,420 Member
      edited August 2017
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      Mchap353 wrote: »
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      ive been downloading cc for a long time now and never got a virus, heck, i dont even have an antivirus on my computer. a good adblocker would simply do the work.

      Lucky you then. Windows 10 has it's own good (for a change) antivirus program in Windows Defender and that is good enough for most people. I have always found it better to be prepared. Using adblockers might mean that you cannot use some sites which depend on the revenue the adverts bring and that is a lot of news sites that I like to go to.

      you can also modify your windows files so it blocks malware and ads automatically without needing an extension in your browser.
      That's a hosts file.
    • Options
      ladybreidladybreid Posts: 3,455 Member
      edited August 2017
      Simpkin wrote: »
      Mendota wrote: »
      Simpkin wrote: »
      I am on topic. I'm sayin cc plum that's why I never use. I've always said it ruins the game and now a computer aswell. There's plenty and plenty of evidence of it's malicious potential. Why anyone downloads or uses it is beyond me.

      You are being very unfair and unhelpful. I have used CC in all my sims games and I never had issues. It is just a matter of sticking to safe sites. Mod the Sims being one example. It is true that unfortunately many creators try and use cheap free sites to host their content and therein lies the problem, but it is simply wrong for you to call CC plum and make fun of someone's misfortune. Just today I downloaded from MTS a canning station that allows you to make jams and jelly to sell and eat. It is done by a very gifted creator who custom content foods have really added to my game. And then there is MC commander that many use to add story progression and many other features to their game. These programmers give of their time and add much to the community and enjoyment of the game. If you choose to not use CC fine, but don't come and make derogatory comments.

      It's not derogatory, it's a fact cc and mods ruin the game. It's so common nowadays that when you have a problem and post about it the first thing you get told is to remove cc and mods. Like, how is that fair and helpful when I don't use any?
      All I meant was what do people expect then when they download this stuff. It's obvious that most of the time it's not gonna work cause it's not original game content by the actual game creators. No need to get mad at the cc creator, just yourself.

      Fact and opinions are two different things and whether or not it "ruins" the game is an opinion, not a fact. Stating that an opinion is a fact doesn't make it so.

      Not all CC contains malware or is malicious. I have never, in all my time of using CC gotten a virus or malware. Ans my current CC folder is well over 6 gigs. I have zero problems.


      ETA:
      The reason that they say to remove CC when there is an issue is to remove the possibility that it is CC causing it, not because its always caused by CC.

      You don't want to use CC and that is great but don't slap all the CC creators out there because some creator has a bad file or because you yourself don't like CC. Good computer practices goes a long way.
      wz3Vdbh.jpg
      Saying "not to be rude", then blatently being rude does not excuse rude behavior.
    • Options
      SimpkinSimpkin Posts: 7,425 Member
      littlemissgogo wrote: »
      Some good insight and recommendations from this thread. Real bummer you got done like that by lousy creators. Super important to only use well-known and trusted sites. I don't even download anything hosted on mediafire personally. Custom content doesn't "ruin the game" either and that certainly isn't a "fact." Not sure why that even needs to be said. Hope OP can banish this malware.

      okay I'll tag you every time i post about a problem with my game and you can say that to the people who ask me to remove cc and mods, thanks :)
      Seasons toggle button in build mode poll. Vote now please! :)
    • Options
      littlemissgogolittlemissgogo Posts: 1,808 Member
      I'm about to take a lil nap but I'll jump on it as soon as I get up!
      6riwm5.png
    • Options
      plopppo2plopppo2 Posts: 3,420 Member
      edited August 2017
      Bare in mind that some things that fire-off an AV or antimalware package are not necessarily an infection as such. This is one reason why some AV packages will not find something and another one will.

      ie, don't necessarily nuke something just because one particular package finds something it doesn't like.

      I see false positives on my system that I ignore.

      As an example, Game trainers will often trigger alerts and some AV packages will simply nuke them from orbit - I have to mark my trainer folder as excluded. Certain mods will possible trigger alerts - especially if they are some kind of injection; however, content such as a table, chair, hair should not - unless certain packers trigger the alerts - ie compression.
    • Options
      KatiardguezKatiardguez Posts: 640 Member
      Been using Cc/Mods since The Sims 2 and never had any problems. I do have "Norton Security Suite" that is available to all Comcast/Xfinity subscriber and so far it has mantained my computer secure and blocks anything that seems suspicious. I still always try to only download cc/mods from safe sites.
    • Options
      KarallyneKarallyne Posts: 362 Member
      CC doesn't "ruin" your game. The worst it usually ever does is just not work or look bad.

      Being paranoid about CC and not wanting to use it is perfectly fine, the rest of us aren't idiots for using it, though. You see people reply to remove mods and cc as the first step to solve a problem just because there are plenty of people who aren't bright enough to do that themselves (and usually you see that the problem wasn't even caused by their mods or cc).

      I just found that response kind of funny (in like a "that's really dumb" kind of way) because if you're posting threads about problems you're having in the game and people are telling you to remove mods and cc as a first step when you don't have any, then obviously mods and cc aren't causing your problems, are they.
    • Options
      SimburianSimburian Posts: 6,914 Member
      plopppo2 wrote: »
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      Mchap353 wrote: »
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      ive been downloading cc for a long time now and never got a virus, heck, i dont even have an antivirus on my computer. a good adblocker would simply do the work.

      Lucky you then. Windows 10 has it's own good (for a change) antivirus program in Windows Defender and that is good enough for most people. I have always found it better to be prepared. Using adblockers might mean that you cannot use some sites which depend on the revenue the adverts bring and that is a lot of news sites that I like to go to.

      you can also modify your windows files so it blocks malware and ads automatically without needing an extension in your browser.
      That's a hosts file.

      Yes, That's what Spybot S&D and Spywareblaster etc. use. Easier to use them, though the second is a bit outdated nowadays.

      It's emails that antivirus programs are useful for too. eg. blacklist files. Also, you can block mail from all the top International phishing domains at one go in Outlook's International Junk Options, eg. I block .ru but you can click or unclick as you need.
    • Options
      plopppo2plopppo2 Posts: 3,420 Member
      Mchap353 wrote: »
      plopppo2 wrote: »
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      Mchap353 wrote: »
      princess_kaguya wrote: »
      ive been downloading cc for a long time now and never got a virus, heck, i dont even have an antivirus on my computer. a good adblocker would simply do the work.

      Lucky you then. Windows 10 has it's own good (for a change) antivirus program in Windows Defender and that is good enough for most people. I have always found it better to be prepared. Using adblockers might mean that you cannot use some sites which depend on the revenue the adverts bring and that is a lot of news sites that I like to go to.

      you can also modify your windows files so it blocks malware and ads automatically without needing an extension in your browser.
      That's a hosts file.

      Yes, That's what Spybot S&D and Spywareblaster etc. use. Easier to use them, though the second is a bit outdated nowadays.

      It's emails that antivirus programs are useful for too. eg. blacklist files. Also, you can block mail from all the top International phishing domains at one go in Outlook's International Junk Options, eg. I block .ru but you can click or unclick as you need.
      I wouldn't put all of my trust in a hosts file.
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