Malware worries - "trainers" for PC versions of games
Discussion
I'd like to revisit some of the PC games I've played (and completed) in the past, but more dipping into things, exploring, trying out different weapons and skills, and the like. But since I have already played and completed them I don't really want to arse around progressing through things normally but want to just cut to the chase. So, for example, in Deus Ex: Human Revolution, unlocking all augmentations rather than picking and choosing.
Now I know that "trainers" exist, and I have even used them in the past. And, just to be clear, I'm talking about the ones that give you the above (infinite lives / money / energy / character advancement) rather than anything dodgy like letting you play a game you haven't bought or anything.
My biggest concern, though, is the risk of malware. And I don't mean anything as simple as viruses or trojans, as those can be scanned for, but applications doing naughty things like, I dunno, deliberately corrupting Windows system files or gathering system information and phoning it home, or whatever. These programs often need elevated privileges in order to ferkle with the game that they are altering, which means you are wide open to them doing whatever the Windows API allows (and I say this as a professional programmer).
So... my question is, how do I find a reputable place to get trainers? Are there any places with a good reputation or people / groups / clans (whatever you call them) with a good reputation?
(We can take it as read that some people are just going to pop in here to say "just play the game as intended" or whatever)
[Edited for spelling & grammar]
Now I know that "trainers" exist, and I have even used them in the past. And, just to be clear, I'm talking about the ones that give you the above (infinite lives / money / energy / character advancement) rather than anything dodgy like letting you play a game you haven't bought or anything.
My biggest concern, though, is the risk of malware. And I don't mean anything as simple as viruses or trojans, as those can be scanned for, but applications doing naughty things like, I dunno, deliberately corrupting Windows system files or gathering system information and phoning it home, or whatever. These programs often need elevated privileges in order to ferkle with the game that they are altering, which means you are wide open to them doing whatever the Windows API allows (and I say this as a professional programmer).
So... my question is, how do I find a reputable place to get trainers? Are there any places with a good reputation or people / groups / clans (whatever you call them) with a good reputation?
(We can take it as read that some people are just going to pop in here to say "just play the game as intended" or whatever)
[Edited for spelling & grammar]
Edited by JonRB on Friday 30th October 21:31
Baryonyx said:
What's the point in playing if you just want to rig the mechanics though?
Because I want to. Because I can still derive enjoyment from it. Each to their own and all that. 
Remember, I'm talking about games I have already played to death and want to revisit but in new ways.
Yes. You are right not to want to run untrusted code as admin. (Or at all I suppose if you can help it!)
One thing I would look out for is if the application has grown in size vs the original by more than a couple of kb (or has extra dlls imported) I would treat with suspicion.
Try running the game as non admin. A lot of games need admin for the following reasons:
Installing C Runtime library.
Writing config files that are located in Program Files.
Installing copy protection drivers.
Creating registry keys in HKCU.
There is a tool called Process Monitor which will let you see the file system/regisry ops. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals/b...
Use this to see what the application is doing and you can probably get it to run by fiddling with folder/reg key permissions. You will also be able to see if it is trying to write to places it shouldn't and also network activity!
One thing I would look out for is if the application has grown in size vs the original by more than a couple of kb (or has extra dlls imported) I would treat with suspicion.
Try running the game as non admin. A lot of games need admin for the following reasons:
Installing C Runtime library.
Writing config files that are located in Program Files.
Installing copy protection drivers.
Creating registry keys in HKCU.
There is a tool called Process Monitor which will let you see the file system/regisry ops. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals/b...
Use this to see what the application is doing and you can probably get it to run by fiddling with folder/reg key permissions. You will also be able to see if it is trying to write to places it shouldn't and also network activity!
rsv gone! said:
Games like Skyrim and Fallout are a doddle, using the console
Yes, I'm aware of that. In fact I did a final Fallout3 playthough in the past where I imagined that my character had been trained for all her life as a Lara Croft type warrior before being unleashed onto the Wasteland. In other words, I used the console to max out all her stats, take on a load of perks, and emerge from Vault 101 with decent armour and weapons. It was actually a huge laugh. I did the same for Fallout:NV. This was after logging hundreds and hundreds of hours playing the games properly, I should add. Right now I'd like to revisit Dishonored with Corvo's abilities tree maxed out and unlimited mana, just for the LOLz. And I'm pretty sure I'll need a Trainer for that.
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