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Question

Are password-protected GAME files infected?

by Nov 4, 2016 4:20AM PDT

Hello, all....
 
I think my Windows 7 (64 bit Pro) computer may be infected with a virus or other malware due to strange behavior. 
 
After running a free copy of Kaspersky Security Scan, the report it generated said I have over 120 password-protected files that it suggested may be infected with a virus or other malware. Most of the files listed are game files, and part of just one game I have loaded on my computer...and most of those password-protected files are of the type "map_014.dat" where the number "014" changes, however, it appears that not all of the numbered "map".dat files were found by Kaspersky to be password-protected. 
 
I have a number of games loaded on my computer, yet Kaspersky only found some of the files in this one game to be password-protected. Does this mean that these files are likely infected? ...And should I just delete and reinstall the entire game? Do game developers often password-protect only some game files but not all of them? 
 
Does anyone have any advice as to what, if anything, I should do about the other, non-game files that Kaspersky listed as "password-protected"...which would not be as easy to just delete and "reinstall"? 
 
Thanks for any help or advice.

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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Answer
Re: games
by Forum moderator Nov 4, 2016 4:33AM PDT

I don't think those files from games are infected. It's just a warning by Kaspersky that it can't open them.

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Answer
The answer to this question is unclear
by Nov 17, 2016 11:46AM PST

Thanks for your response.

I ended up asking my question on several forums, and the responses I got were mixed. Yes, Kaspersky indicated it could not open the password-protected game files, but the reason is uncertain. Some people believe that the files may be infected and should be deleted, while others believe that game producers password-protect game files to prevent copying. Thankfully, I no longer need to know The Answer. Happy

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Answer
PS....
by Nov 17, 2016 12:17PM PST

Some additional information: I think the best response I received was that if I have an active anti-virus program (set to scan all files every time one is opened), any malware hiding in any file (including password-protected files) would have already been detected.

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