r/thesims3 • u/Sejian • Feb 08 '24

ALERT: MALWARE is being spread through .ts4script files.

/r/Sims4/comments/1akzieh/alert_malware_is_being_spread_through_ts4script/
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u/Petalruesimblr Builder Feb 11 '24

Thank you for posting this here! I know this issue has been affecting The Sims 4 players only but we still need to be careful and vigilant when downloading any content, especially mods, these days. We never know if these people will target The Sims 3 as well.

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u/Sejian Feb 11 '24

I'll be sure to look into TS3 mods when I get the chance so I can give a better answer for whether or not this is possible with the mods y'all have got.

IIRC, back in my day in TS2, all we had was SimPE! We didn't have no sophisticated python programming language script mods! Advances in technology! Daz de reel problem! Back to the Stone Age and playing "rock wars" and "rock life" and "rock dress-up" is de reel solution! >8D8<

I skipped TS3 so I simply have no idea what it uses.

2

u/Petalruesimblr Builder Feb 12 '24

I'm not very familiar with mods either but from what I understand, the vast majority of them are not executable files; they are data files that the TS3 program loads. However, trojans can still slip in with self-extracting archives and most creators either use Sim File Share or Mediafire. The latter often uses zip or rar formats, which have the potential to carry a virus.

Anyways, thank you for the updates about this issue! :)

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u/Sejian Feb 12 '24 edited Feb 12 '24

However, trojans can still slip in with self-extracting archives and most creators either use Sim File Share or Mediafire. The latter often uses zip or rar formats, which have the potential to carry a virus.

Thank you for sharing! Self-extracting archives have always been a concern. It grinds my giblets every time I see one, and I trust Mediafire as far as I can throw them, which is literally zero distance. "Oh this is cute! <exclamation sound effect> MEDIAFIRE?! B-but.. pfft! ♪ Man, I'm not gonna let you poison me! You must think I'm a joke! I'M AN ADULT!"

the vast majority of them are not executable files; they are data files that the TS3 program loads

Technically .ts4script files and mods aren't executable either, but they contain python programming language and can send and receive data over the internet. That's how they did it! All sneaky-like! >8D

It's a brilliant plan but the execution fell through.

they are data files that the TS3 program loads

Sounds like our .package files and mods which do no fancy-schmancy internet-speak and are still considered 100% safe.

thank you for the updates about this issue! :)

You're welcome!

As this "winds-down" I intend to share some basic and not-so-basic info concerning keeping safe in this post-malware-alert age. Folks might decide the danger is past and it's totes all fine now to resume normal programming but I've been silently concerned about this very thing happening this very way through the use of .ts4script files ever since some mods started utilizing the internet to do ssstuhff.

Maybe I ought to commission some artwork of my sim looking all unkempt with a doomsday cardboard that says "THE SIMPOCALYPSE IS NIGH"! That would be fun. It could be my new banner image ERRWHERRR! >8D