spartan9081 Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Cutting right through crap, my computer got screwed up a bit, downgraded to windows XP from Vista, and I'm interested in getting back into the wonders of modded Fallout 3. However, can't download anything because I can't be sure that there's nothing harmful to my computer as far as I know. I'm able to make sure there's no security threats. I'm half curious if there even is another way downloaded files can harm my computer, and half curious if there's a way I can be sure if a file here doesn't have something that can f*$# up my computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skree000 Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 well, when you download mods, you only need to be wary of anything that comes in a .bat, .exe or .com format. Pretty sure that every mod on the nexus network is safe, and you can check for yourself they will come in .rar, .zip or .7z archives. Within those you can take a look and see whats there. Youll probably only find ... .ESP (elder scrolls plugins).ESM (elder scrolls master).NIF (netimmerse-gamebryo format).EGM (Elder scrolls facegen map, for headgear).TXT (text files).JPG (jpeg images), .DDS (direct-draw images).MP3, .WAV, .OGG (sound files) and maybe a few other types... If the so called 'mod' however comes in .exe, .bat or .com format, be very suspicious. 99% of mods do not come with self-installers that look like this. (FOMODs and OMODs aside)Usually its safe to trust Fallout3Nexus networks to scan everything for viruses and malware. Good ideas to protect yourself on your own computer: -get a good internet/OS firewall, like Zonealarm. -get a good antivirus, like AVG to scan for troublesome stuff before you install it-get and use Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware to scan for troublesome stuff before you install it-keep Windows Firewall up at all times.-Get a router, or, if your ISP gave you one, make sure you are using high security settings -know how to check your process list in Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Delete, Task Manager, Processes tab.) Recognize what normal processes look like, keep your eyes open for suspicious looking ones that you never noticed before. When in doubt, look on google and type the name of the process to see what it is, and if its safe. -check your MSCONFIG startup list and make sure theres nothing strange in there that might have gotten past. Its usually a good idea to check this list once every few weeks, depending on how much stuff you install or how much you browse the net. To get to this window go Start, Run, type 'msconfig' then go to the Startup Tab. That list shows what your computer is instructed to load whenever it boots up. Basic things like your firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware software should be in there, but not much else... No ONE anti-spyware or anti-virus software can catch everything. If you are really suspicious about a certain file before you run it, right click and scan with everything youve got. On my old computer it was secure like fort knox, i had AVG Antivirus, Zonealarm firewall and anti-spyware, Bell Antivirus/Antispyware, Malwarebytes Antimalware, Spysweeper Professional, Spybot S&D. In addition to that i had a router with built in firewalls, and i was also running MS Firewall service. Lots of people would say, you dont need that much protection, but ive never, ever, ever gotten a virus or spyware on that machine. I know how to make the firewalls work together so there are no conflicts. Its not too hard if you know what you are doing. Overkill? yup. But my data is precious. I back my stuff up but id rather not waste my time with taking risks. Redoing stuff sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts