Downloading Mods dangerous?

[PRCouture]

I just discovered how incredible these mods are, and i've seen the warning that there is a chance for trojans/viruses/ect on these downloads. Is it a huge virus bin like Limewire was? the majority of the mods i've downloaded are popular, 5k+ downloads on them, am i still in danger? Thanks

 

[markusbeutel]

I just discovered how incredible these mods are, and i've seen the warning that there is a chance for trojans/viruses/ect on these downloads. Is it a huge virus bin like Limewire was? the majority of the mods i've downloaded are popular, 5k+ downloads on them, am i still in danger? Thanks

For mods to be uploaded - they first go through a verification process that checks for bugs/viruses, among other things. That's not to say they are all 100% safe, but chances are if a mod has been downloaded thousands of times and been on the browser for an extended period of time across various iterations, it's probably safe. It's nothing like Limewire in that regard.

 

[Pouakai]

That warning message at the start of the mod screen is just Firaxis and 2K clearing them of any fault in the unlikely chance that you do get a virus - Like the safety briefing when you board an airplane.

 

[squadbroken]

Yeah, it's a standard CYOA thing. Just like how every multiplayer games warns you that the age ratings do not apply to online interactions.

Now, if/when the DLL code becomes available you might see malicious mods, but I haven't seen anything like that for Civ 4, and people have been distributing custom DLLs for years now.

 

[Zyxpsilon]

The odds of catching a "Flawed" Mod are much higher than running into a hack for a simple reason, files integrity without any access *outside* ..xx:\Users\Documents\MyGames.. and an extremely solid executable overlay (which includes a Steam monitoring asset - one of its very few advantages, btw).
As everything OS, *you* maintain the PC.
Some tricky Open Ports in MP are a different issue.

 

[NBAfan]

I have been using Civ 4 mods for years, and haven't had any viruses.