The recently released game from Seaworth Interactive, "PirateFi," has recently been flagged by Valve and was removed from Steam because it contained malware that can affect PCs and plague users.
The company acted swiftly on the matter as it took down the game only over a week after it was released in early February and is now advising users to scan and reformat their PCs.
What is even more odd is how the game with malware was able to slip through Valve's systems and was made available via Steam.
Valve Takes Down 'PirateFi,' A Game It Found With Malware
A game called "PirateFi" is now in the center of controversy after Valve found it to contains malware that can affect the PCs of users who have downloaded it and are playing the game.
According to a report by TechCrunch, multiple reports claimed that Valve already took down the game from its Steam platform to avoid further spreading the malware to unknowing players.
It is also important to note that "PirateFi" is a free-to-play game, and this may have attracted many users to try it out without the knowledge that it is plagued with malware that can cause significant effects on computers.
Despite this, Valve did not yet confirm what kind of malware was found in the game, and it remains unknown how many are already affected by the issue that the company failed to catch when it was first released.
That being said, "PirateFi" is a fairly new game that was only made available last Feb. 6, but Valve did not reveal the total number of downloads from Steam since it was released.
Malware Game Has High Ratings Despite Infestation
Gamers on Reddit shared the notice that Valve sent out to affected users who have downloaded the game, with the company sharing that they suspect malware within its codes.
According to Valve, it had already removed the game builds that they suspected to have malware, but the company is still advising players to run scans from their trusted anti-virus platforms or software to stay protected.
Moreover, the company is also recommending users to reformat their operating systems to ensure that they get rid of all malicious software the game may have left behind.
Despite the game being a massive privacy issue, it racked up a 9 out of 10 store rating via Steam based on its archived page, and this was based on the 51 reviews from users who shared insights about the new title.
Avoid Games or Mods With Malware At All Costs
Video games have been an integral part of many people's lives, but these titles have since been exploited by threat actors who look to gain from the public's blindside who only wish to play games. There have been various games or mods that have been flagged to have malware or other malicious software hidden on their codes, to collect personal and sensitive information or infect PCs.
It is important to always stay vigilant when downloading games, especially free-to-play ones like "PirateFi" to avoid serious consequences in the future.
