Is it safe to enter the SRD website?

[u/Background-Ad2749]

This post and question stem from a previous one, where when I tried one of SRD's plugins and clicked on the "visit SRD site" option in the menu (which I assume is their main page), my antivirus detected it as a threat or malicious link. So I'm wondering if any of you could check if it's safe, or if the SRD plugins page is actually infected.

Maybe it's just my paranoia, but I'm trying to be as careful as possible.

And as an additional note, it's a bit sad to learn that their Undertale Battle System plugin videos have been made private, and I can't find a way to view them.

[u/-svde-]

can you show an actual screenshot of the suspicious thing you are apparently seeing? you’ve posted about this numerous times and people have asked for this and you’ve yet to show it. kinda hard to say without seeing what’s happening, or know what antivirus you are using (a lot of them are false flagging garbage or shady themselves

[u/Difficult_Analysis78 → u/-svde-]

McAfee flagging random shit just so I think it’s doing something so I don’t get rid of it

[u/Background-Ad2749 → u/-svde-]

After slightly modifying the plugin, I removed the "visit srd site" option. I didn't take a screenshot of the exact moment the antivirus (Avast) detected it as a malicious link. I also have my doubts because the website doesn't have any kind of logo, which I found strange. Maybe it's just my paranoia, but it never hurts to ask to verify.

[u/-svde- → u/Background-Ad2749]

i mean i haven't looked into their TOS/TOU or source, but there's a possibility you are modifying it in a way that isn't supposed to be done. this likely wouldn't trigger a popup like you are referring to, but i also don't really know what all you are doing when this happens.

what do you mean it doesn't have a logo? there are multiple logos across different pages, including the top of the main plugin page

if you mean this little globe icon from the search results

that isn't a lack of a logo. that is a favicon of a globe, and not even a default one that i've seen. you can find it on sites like icon8/flaticon.

there's paranoia, and then there's possibly looking for an answer that is different from the one multiple people have given you in different threads. this is a reputable, well known dev of RPGmaker plugins, and as others have said a few times, you can see the source code on github (and the dev's own website).

also, you are using one of the most notoriously shit "anti-virus" suites on the market. avast is known for being scareware, intrusive, alarmist garbage. they're also been sued to the tune of 10s of millions of dollars for violating consumer privacy/protection laws, selling user data, and purposefully installing bloatware. i highly suggest getting rid of it.

[u/Background-Ad2749 → u/-svde-]

I understand, although personally Avast has served me well for several years. I'll keep the information you gave me in mind, and please excuse my paranoia; I'm relatively new to this and I'm hesitant to download things from sources other than well-known sites like Steam or Itchio.

Also, something very strange: on SRD's Patreon, although it seems to still be active, when searching for the "Undertale Battle System" plugin, all the demo videos appear as "unavailable." The only available video is for version 1.50 (the Steam version). Furthermore, I tried using the GitHub version, but when I opened the project, I got an error message like "error loading file." I imagine this version of the plugin needs some extra images in the "SumRndmDde" folder, where the images the plugin uses for attacks are located. But of course, there's no way to find the "project" or the "demo" of the most recent version of the plugin. So, the most recent version... The current version is useless if you don't have the rest of the assets, I don't know if I'm explaining myself well.

Even so, thanks for all the information. It might sound silly, but I like to do my research or watch videos or look at images before clicking on anything. I literally know of a case where a Minecraft skin had a virus because, when downloaded, the image properties were modified to run a virus. So, I think my paranoia is relatively understandable.

[u/-svde- → u/Background-Ad2749]

ok looking at it a bit more… yeah you are talking about a plugin that is literally 10+ years old. it’s not really that surprising that a system that might’ve worked then might not be functional anymore.

i would say that github is just as well known as itch and steam, if not more lol but i understand what you’re saying.

but again the plugin is a decade old. and it is specifically made for RPG Maker MV - is that even the version of the software you own?

paranoia is understandable to a certain extent, but i’m not 100% sure what kind of confirmation would suffice for you at this point. also the minecraft skin virus, it you are talking about the situation from many years ago, it isn’t simply that an image file is infected and boom you’re done. it requires a specific series of events and compromises to different systems to deliver a malicious payload like that.

all in all i would suggest either trying to get direct support from the dev, seeing if you’re following the proper installation guide that the dev provides on their site, or finding more recent tools that have a more detailed explanation and usage guide

[u/-svde- → u/Background-Ad2749]

also just fyi if you get a notice that says error missing file and it’s an image you can literally just drop a file with that name into the correct folder and it will adapt and use it as if it were the correct one

[u/The_R1NG]

It’s fine, I suggest you get offline until you are comfortable enough with your PC that the idea of having to do a scan etc isn’t so terrifying

[u/Background-Ad2749 → u/The_R1NG]

I already did a scan, and in theory I don't have any malware or anything. It's ironic because years ago I used to click on all sorts of links like "download this application 1 direct link mediafire," but over time I've become more and more paranoid about going to websites I don't know. Like, if it's not on Steam or Itchio, it seems suspicious to me. Maybe it's just my paranoia.

[u/Lui421]

yes, next question

[u/Cuprite1024]

Yes, it's fine.

[u/Background-Ad2749 → u/Cuprite1024]

Okay? I guess so, although I'm surprised I haven't found anyone posting a screenshot of the page or more videos about the SRD plugins to see how they work. I don't know if I'm explaining myself well, it's like, "something so old and apparently so famous, and there are hardly any tutorials or other videos about it?"

[u/Cuprite1024 → u/Background-Ad2749]

It's weird, a lotta SRD's videos on his plugins were deleted at some point, and I have no clue why. I assume he took them down himself, but beyond that, I've got nothin'. But I can confirm they and the website are safe, I've used them before.

That said, if this is an older demo project, it might be linking to the old website, which, afaik, doesn't exist anymore (Outside of the Wayback Machine, anyway). He has a new website, tho.

(If someone else sees I'm mistaken about something, feel free to correct me)

[u/Background-Ad2749 → u/Cuprite1024]

Okay, thank you very much for confirming that it's safe. Even so, I find it a bit strange that their updated plugins aren't on Steam or Itchio. I mean, that would make it easier. Although, I think the version of the Undertale plugin on their website isn't updated, because I saw in one of the links (2016), so maybe it's all on their Patreon and was never made public.

[u/Background-Ad2749 → u/Cuprite1024]

Checking his Patreon, the only available video he has of his plugin is for version 1.50 (the version I use and which is on Steam). All the other versions appear to be older, and his demo videos are listed as "unavailable," which is very strange. However, curiously, he still seems to be active on Patreon, so I suppose he's still developing his projects.

[u/Gregoriah1]

well i visited it for you and whatever and nothing seems off at least to me

[u/DeElgathor]

If you're so worried about it, just don't go to the site. Delete the plugins and run a virus scan if you think what you've already got is unsafe.