Critical Security Alert for Players

Players of Project Zomboid should be on high alert following the discovery of malicious code hidden in over a dozen Steam Workshop mods. Developer The Indie Stone has confirmed that 14 mods contained 'heavily obfuscated code' which created malicious files capable of affecting player systems.

Reports began surfacing from players who noticed suspicious behavior associated with certain mods. Upon investigation, The Indie Stone confirmed these claims and found that the same user had uploaded all 14 mods, which had been installed on between 500 and 2,200 devices.

“Further investigation revealed that the same user had uploaded a total of 14 mods, all containing the same exploit,” the developer stated in a recent post. The offending user has been banned, and all affected mods are now removed from the Steam Workshop.

This exploit primarily affected those using the game's current 'unstable' testing release, Build 42. Players on Build 41 are not vulnerable to this specific issue. However, The Indie Stone strongly advises anyone who downloaded these mods to take immediate action.

“We strongly recommend that anyone who downloaded them take appropriate security measures to ensure their system is safe. Simply uninstalling the mods is not sufficient,” the developer warned.

The mods in question are primarily music-related, and include popular soundtracks like NieR: Automata, Hotline Miami, and Persona 5. Given the nature of the threat, players should carefully verify whether they’ve downloaded any of these mods. Here’s a list of the problematic mods:

For a complete list of the affected mods, players should refer to the official announcement on Steam. The incident serves as a crucial reminder to always verify the safety of mods before installation.

Protecting Your System

In light of this incident, players should prioritize their online security. It's a good practice to regularly scan your system for any unwanted files or changes, especially after downloading mods. Stay informed about updates from The Indie Stone and other developers to ensure your gaming experience remains safe.

While Project Zomboid continues to be an engaging survival experience, players must remain vigilant against threats from third-party content. Keeping your game and system secure not only enhances your experience but also safeguards your personal information.