Post by leafo in Malware on itch.io, has anything been improved on this since couple years back?

Viewing post in Malware on itch.io, has anything been improved on this since couple years back?

We’re an open publishing platform. Although we have may automated checks to detect and prevent bad actors, we will never guarantee that we have tested all software uploaded to the platform before it is made publicly available. As always, I recommend you treat any page you see with scrutiny as you are downloading software off the internet. If something looks suspicious then feel free to report it. You can also decide to browse the works of more well known or established creators, or limit the games you play to browser based HTML games.

Hope that helps

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Spanospy3 years ago (1 edit)

Could you perhaps start limiting what new accounts can upload, or have better verification? I just got someone trying to get me to "beta test a game" they uploaded in a RAR format, saying that zip doesn't work. Both the "game" & account were created half an hour ago! Surely it's not that easy to upload malware, right??

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Kari-Pekka3 years ago(+1)

yea it is pretty disgusting how they don't take responsibility for their own website. Questioning the legality of this kind of business in eu, but hey it is at least good that people know not to trust this site.

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firecat3 years ago(+2)

This also happens in Steam, it is known that Valve allows anything and everything but anime highschool games. https://www.makeuseof.com/malware-hiding-inside-steam-profile-pictures/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2019/08/09/critical-steam-security-warn...

https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/steam-game-allegedly-mining-cryptocurrency/

while itch.io doesnt block every new malware or such, it does at least a better job than a billion dollar company. Valve only claims it blocks and has malware scanning software. However over the years Valve fail to block at least 200 dangerous malware since 2012, 50% of games are copys of other games, 80% stolen content and over 10 lawsuits by the government of different countrys.

While itch.io has nearly less problems and does a better job.

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Spanospy3 years ago

Steam at least has a somewhat higher barrier for uploading games, and makes it harder for throwaway accounts. (paperwork signing, bank and tax information, identity verification, and deposit fees of $100 per game)

Itch appears to have none of that as a requirement. Obviously I'm not asking for them to add required paperwork/bank stuff, but higher verification for uploading a game compared to creating an account would be nice.

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firecat3 years ago(+2)

well no, steam has let in developers who clearly stole games: https://gamerant.com/biohazard-village-copycat-game-removed-steam/

There is also the problem with steamworks, it allows anyone to kick anyone: https://www.shacknews.com/article/100567/locked-out-was-sickbrick-stolen-from-it...

clear cut case of stolen RPG Makers: https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/steamwatch-steam-developer-called-out-by-comm...

Copy cats: https://screenrant.com/among-us-most-obvious-clone-pretend-steam/

Lets developers lie: https://www.destructoid.com/the-war-z-launches-on-steam-amid-accusations-of-frau...

Valve removes anyone game however they want: http://angryjoeshow.com/ajsa/forums/topic/23557-ride-to-hell-retribution-finally...

you can ask the developer of this game, his game got removed because Valve thinks its a porn game: https://seeminglypointless.itch.io/18orolder

So no Valve doesnt do a better job or "higher barrier", the money to pay the $100 is either stolen or easy for them to get because they are scammers. It is also note that Valve does not check the bank or documentations, any scammer removed can easy come back with the same or fake documents.

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