Cheat Engine

[Black Jin]

Okay so, I understand that Cheat Engine itself isn't infected or compromised but the installer from cheatengine . org is being quite suspicious. When installing Cheat Engine, it appears that different executable files are dropped into AppData/Local/Temp, which then they are executed and start trying to edit the Windows registry. These files are created at the end of the CE installation, regardless of whether you opt out from the offers or not. I ran the installation twice to see, and two separate, different programs were executed after creation.

So I decided to check these two programs on Virus Total, and it appears both are detected as adware and other such things.

If I opt out of these offers, why is it that adware is still dropped and then executed?

[atom0s]

This is very common for anti-virus' to flag legit software as potential problems due to them being used for malicious purposes more than not. Cheat Engine uses an ad based installer to help generate some income for Dark Byte for the free work he puts into Cheat Engine.

Because of it, the installer is being flagged as a more or less 'false-positive' as you can see by the listings of what it's named. "DealFly" is a generic name given to the installer engine because it shows ads. The installer is not infected and ads are screened by the developers of the installer. Do some issues slip through the cracks every now and then? Sure, nothing is perfect. But you have nothing to worry about as long as you take your time while installing and opt. out of everything.

If you still don't want to run the installer or don't trust it, the Downloads paage of CE offers a packaged version without the installer.

[pimpmyname]

Its because of the opt out install stuff... But its the way you guys make money so its fair enough.

But a lot of AVs will pick it up as unwanted software.

[StrikerFX]

I was downloading the program on the site, but had the following warning: November 13 2017: Can not run Cheat Engine. From what I understand, the cheat engine has a virus, is that it? Has it already been resolved or not? I intend to use the portable version until it is infected too?

[Dark Byte]

check your anti virus. ce is a 'hacktool / cheat engine" which is exactly what you want, but your AV might not know that

also, what is the exact error you get ?
if it's the error that cheatengine-x86_64.exe is missing after doubleclicking it then use the windows repair tool posted on the website

[sch7777]

I'm no genius
Malwarebytes is saying this
(PUP.Optional.GameHack)
potentially unwanted programs
is some kind of a threat.
WTF Dark Byte is
STANDALONEPHASE1.DAT
really necessary to
the operation of
cheat engine and
what is STANDALONEPHASE1.DAT
real purpose to the
cheat engine?

I've never upgraded Cheat Engine from 6.3
Well I started watching some YouTube videos on cheat engine and seen CE v6.7 Thought I would try it out. So downloaded it and scanned it with Malwarebytes. Bam got Malwarebytes all in an up roar over it. Yea, yea i've read all about how Malwarebytes is picking up false virus's. How all this is a bunch of BS. So I would like to know is (STANDALONEPHASE1.DAT) really necessary to be in the cheat engine folder? Will cheat engine function without them? WTH is Tiny.dat file as well????
Thanks for any help or info

[TheyCallMeTim13]

[Dark Byte]

a PUP is not a virus or malware, it's a "Potentially unwanted program"
malwarebytes assumes most people want to play games as they are designed, and therefore don't want to use mods.

[sch7777]

Thanks Dark Byte

I'll Set malwarebytes to ignore the files

Also thanks TheyCallMeTim13

I did read the post yesterday.