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Hello all, apologies if this seems like a silly question.
A couple of times now when I've tried to download models I have found links containing .exe files where I would expect to find .rar, .7z or .zip. It happened to me most recently when trying to download the DAZ Lamb (https://zonegfx.com/daz-lamb/). I didn't download or run the file because I don't understand why it would be a .exe file, which as I understand it is a file type generally used to install or run software applications. Am I right in suspecting this could be suspicious/malicious or, if not, why?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can provide clarification on the matter.
This is a Poser file , looking at the extension ( CR2). You can run this exe without a problem. Daz used to provide exe files that would instal the content in a desired place in the proper folder structure. I guess because in those days there wasn't a CMS.
Exe files do have the possibility to contain viruses etc, but then they would have to break open the Lamb.exe ( in this case) hide a virus and reconstruct.
I think that is highly unlikely in this case.
Furthermore. If you downloaded it from the Zone, we are all good willing people, and if a file does contain a virus or such, word would get around.So the answer is yes and no. Yes an exe is Potentially dangerous, but no these are standard DAZ files. To be save you could instal a virus checker or something, if the file IS harmful, lights will start flashing and bells will be ringin 😉
The obligation to upload a post, is to test it before, and to be sure that there is nothing "toxic"...
Even to me, that I dedicate myself to "dumb" programming in Python or Perl, I choose to give the code as is (where it is necessary to install Python or Perl..., and dependency modules, etc..., and for neophytes it is complicated...) and an exe.
Many antivirus detect trojans or fake malware.
If you want me to tell you the truth, I have deactivated even windows Defender... Once a month, I run a Malwarebytes free, and all the positives are false... (Except if you go on disreputable websites...)
They use RAM, CPU time and HD access all the time: Fuck it! 😀You can use Sandboxie (it's free and open source) to run suspicious stuff and check it out.
Many antivirus programs will scream bloody murder at cracks or serial numbers. They know that they're harmless, they're just trying to scare people away from using hacked programs.An EXE can do anything you can do and more. So it is good to use caution. Sandboxie is excellent. I have used it forever. Better, but more complex, is an isolated virtual machine. Best is a completely independent isolated test PC.
A little paranoia goes a long way. I've used this principal since floppy drives were a new thing. I never had a working PC with a virus.
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