Valve recommends that users who downloaded PirateFe run a full system scan with anti-virus software and check for auspicious or newly installed software on their PPCs. As a last resort, Valve also recommends that users consider reinstalling Windows to completely rid their system of any potential malware.

The gaming giant told affected users: "Consider fully reformatting your operating system" © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Players who downloaded PirateFi on Steam thought they were getting a seaside adventure. In reality, they downloaded a game packed with malware.

In-game ads have now been officially banned from the popular gaming platform Steam, according to the new guidelines.

The free-to-play game, PirateFi, infects users with malware that steals browser cookies, enabling the malware’s creator to hijack access to various online accounts.

This sort of thing is atypical for Steam. The automated systems for game updates can sometimes crash PCs when the updates are problematic, but so far Valve has done a very good job of keeping actual malware out of the Steam store. (Can’t say the same for Apple, Google, or Microsoft .)

Valve has sent a warning email to users that installed removed game PirateFi on Steam, explaining that it included suspected malware.

A Free-to-Play Pirate Game on Steam Was Malware in Disguise . As PCMag reported, a malicious actor uploaded a title called PirateFi onto the Steam platform. The PirateFi store pag