File Security Guide
Verify Mod Safety with VirusTotal
Learn how to scan and verify mod files for security threats before installation
Why File Security Matters
When downloading mods from the internet, there's always a risk of encountering malicious files. Cybercriminals sometimes disguise malware as popular mod files to infect users' computers.
If you have concerns about file security, it's recommended to upload mod files to the VirusTotal website for multi-scan verification before installation. This website uses 70+ antivirus engines to scan files and provides detailed security reports.
What is VirusTotal?
VirusTotal is a free online service owned by Google that analyzes files and URLs for viruses, worms, trojans, and other malicious content.
Key Features
- 70+ antivirus engine scanning
- Detailed threat analysis reports
- File behavior monitoring
- Community-driven threat intelligence
- Free for public use
Benefits
- Comprehensive multi-engine detection
- Zero cost security verification
- Fast scanning results
- No software installation required
- Industry-standard reliability
How to Scan Files with VirusTotal
Step 1: Visit VirusTotal
Go to https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload in your web browser.
Step 2: Upload Your File
Click the "Choose file" button or drag and drop your mod file into the upload area. VirusTotal supports files up to 650MB in size.
Step 3: Wait for Analysis
The scanning process typically takes 1-3 minutes. VirusTotal will analyze your file using multiple antivirus engines simultaneously.
Step 4: Review Results
Examine the scan results carefully. A clean file should show 0 detections from all antivirus engines. Any detections warrant further investigation.
Understanding Scan Results
Clean (0 detections)
File appears safe. No threats detected by any engine.
Suspicious (1-3 detections)
Possible false positives. Research the detections carefully.
Dangerous (4+ detections)
Likely malicious. Do not install this file.
Important Notes:
- False positives can occur, especially with game modification tools
- Check detection names - generic names like "Heuristic" are often false positives
- Research specific antivirus engines that flagged the file
- When in doubt, don't install the file
Security Best Practices
Do's
- Always scan files from unknown sources
- Download mods from reputable sources
- Keep your antivirus software updated
- Create system backups before installing mods
- Read user reviews and comments
Don'ts
- Don't install files with multiple threat detections
- Don't disable your antivirus for mod installation
- Don't download from suspicious websites
- Don't ignore security warnings
- Don't run executables from untrusted sources
Ready to Scan Your Files?
Use VirusTotal to verify the safety of your mod files before installation
Open VirusTotal